Female Ex-Combatants, Empowerment, and Reintegration: Gendered Inequalities in Liberia and Nepal

Female Ex-Combatants, Empowerment, and Reintegration explores how United Nations-led Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs undermine female ex-combatants' empowerment. It draws on field research and interviews with female ex-combatants and DDR officials in Liberia and Nepal to develop a nuanced and comprehensive picture of female ex-combatants' empowerment and how it is undermined by DDR. The author argues that this is detrimental to peacebuilding, as DDR officials and documentation narrate female ex-combatants in limited and gendered ways, reproducing gendered inequalities and defining how female ex-combatants should behave.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Female Ex-Combatants, Empowerment, and Reintegration delves into the intricate dynamics of the United Nations-led Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs and their impact on the empowerment of female ex-combatants. The involvement of women in conflict has gained increasing recognition in feminist literature and policy frameworks, highlighting the potential for empowerment through their roles as combatants. However, the process of reintegration often erodes this empowerment, leading to a loss of agency and opportunities for these women.

UN-led DDR programs play a crucial role in the broader peacebuilding process, as they aim to reintegrate ex-combatants into civilian life. This book, through extensive field research and in-depth interviews with female ex-combatants and DDR officials in Liberia and Nepal, offers a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the empowerment of female ex-combatants and the ways in which DDR programs undermine it. By reconceptualizing frameworks of empowerment and embracing an emancipatory peace, the book explores the pivotal role that DDR programs play in perpetuating gendered inequalities and shaping the behavior and expectations of female ex-combatants.

The author argues that this undermining of female ex-combatants' empowerment is detrimental to the overall peacebuilding effort. DDR officials and documentation often portray female ex-combatants in limited and gendered ways, perpetuating stereotypes and reinforcing gender norms that limit their opportunities and agency. This narrative contributes to the perpetuation of gendered inequalities and hinders the full participation and integration of women in post-conflict societies.

Female Ex-Combatants, Empowerment, and Reintegration is a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners engaged in gender, conflict, peace, security, and development. It sheds light on the complex dynamics between DDR programs, empowerment, and gender equality, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities for promoting the empowerment of female ex-combatants in post-conflict contexts. By challenging prevailing narratives and advocating for inclusive and gender-sensitive approaches, this book contributes to the ongoing efforts to build more inclusive and sustainable peace.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032160344