Research this month
Behind closed doors: The risk of denying women a voice in determining Afghanistan's future
The Afghan Government and the international community must ensure the rhetoric on women’s rights matches the reality. This means supporting women’s meaningful participation in all peace process initiatives, including through sustained support for women’s organizations and for women’s capacity building to take part in high-level negotiations.
Behind closed doors, from Oxfam, looks at the role of women in the Afghan peace process. Although women’s rights in Afghanistan have greatly advanced in recent years, there are worrying signs that advances are being rolled back, impacting the ability for women to take part in the country’s peace process.
Bahrain: civil society and political imagination
Despite the stalling of the formal dialogue, Bahrain’s traditionally active civil society could make a valuable contribution to sincere efforts to reach a political resolution – if, that is, it were given the political space to do so.
Bahrain: civil society and political imagination, from Chatham House, examines how civil society may be key to providing a new political settlement in Bahrain. This is essential if the grievances that led to protests in recent years are to be resolved.
Masculinities, conflict and peacebuilding: perspectives on men through a gender lens
‘Taking a gender perspective’ is often assumed to mean highlighting the roles, needs, and rights of women and girls … however, truly taking a gender perspective also requires critical examination of the roles and experiences of men and boys in conflict prevention and peacebuilding
Masculinities, conflict and peacebuilding, from Saferworld, looks at the role of masculinity and male gender norms in conflict and peacebuilding. The paper argues for greater attention to be given to looking at men and boys from a gendered perspective, and offers recommendations for best practice and further research.
Insights newsletter - reconciliation
The latest edition of Insights, from USIP, focuses on reconciliation. The newsletter contains an overview of the concept of reconciliation as it relates to peacebuilding, as well as examples of reconciliation in practice in Bosnia and Rwanda.
Conflict Trends 2014/3
The latest edition of Conflict Trends, from Accord, includes articles looking at IT and peacebuilding in Kenya, local peace committees, and the role of agriculture in peacebuilding.
From the blog
Back to the future in Burkina Faso
By Boris Somé: Boris Somé introduces Insight on Conflict’s new Burkina Faso section. Read more »
Women in peacebuilding: Actions speak louder than words
By Kirthi Jayakumar: Kirthi Jayukumar discusses the progress of women in peacebuilding Read more »
Habits, practices and routines: the everyday politics of International Intervention
By Jasmine Mitchell: Listen to Séverine Autesserre discuss the findings of her new book, ‘Peaceland: Conflict Resolution and the Everyday Politics of International Intervention’Read more »
Conflict in Ukraine: Evidencing the need for local intervention
By Richard Reed: As the conflict in Ukraine shows worrying signs of further escalation, Richard Reed argues for the need to support local efforts to build peace. Read more »
Overcoming the stigma of sexual violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina
By Tim Bidey: Today is the start of week of action to raise awareness of the prevention and consequences of sexual violence in conflict. Read more »
Horn of Africa: the linkages between food insecurity, migration and conflict
By Kisuke Ndiku: Kisuke Ndiku explores food insecurity, migration and conflict in the Horn of Africa. Read more »
Trading places: capturing the reality of cross border conflict
By Conor McGale: Northern Ireland: a new project uses film to document life during The Troubles Read more »
A religious fanatic turned peace advocate
By Sawssan Abou-Zahr: The journey of Assad Shaftari – a religious fanatic turned peace advocate. Read more »
Blurred lines in South Sudan
By Flora McCrone: A new bill passing through the South Sudanese parliament gives the country’s security services wide-ranging powers – powers which they have repeatedly abused Read more »
Lebanon, land of dialogue and opportunity
By Sawssan Abou-Zahr: A new initiative aims to harness Lebanon’s diversity in order to bring people together. Read more »
