The literature on women’s inclusion in peacebuilding has not only raised much criticism about women’s poor involvement, but also hopes for what their inclusion could entail. This research aims to...Show moreThe literature on women’s inclusion in peacebuilding has not only raised much criticism about women’s poor involvement, but also hopes for what their inclusion could entail. This research aims to unravel the question of whether involving local women's groups in the official peace process will lead to women's political, legal and economic emancipation in post-conflict societies. This is done with a case study of Liberia, as it has become well-known for its active women’s peace movement, and election of the first woman president in Africa. The 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement was somewhat gender-sensitive, and also involved a regional women’s organization— MARWOPNET— as one of the signatories. Yet, while the gender agenda has been present in several programs and policies in Liberia’s reconstruction, the results so far have been moderate. This thesis argues that local women’s involvement in official peace processes will lead to gender issues being more present in countries’ post-conflict reconstruction. However, to achieve their goals, women’s organizations need support from other actors, and the focus should be on their involvement both in quality and quantity.Show less
