Women's Roles in Conflict Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Post-conflict Reconstruction: Literature Review and Institutional Analysis

At the request of the Directorate of Coordination Emancipation Policy at the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, the Conflict Research Unit (CRU) of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations commissed a research study into the roles of women in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction. With this purpose the CRU undertook a review of selected literature on the roles and positions of women before, during and after armed conflict. In addition, the CRU embarked on an institutional analysis of sixteen international and national organizations that aim to improve the position of women in armed conflicts through peacekeeping missions, peace negotiation, peacebuilding, humanitarian aid, development assistance, and international tribunals and courts. The CRU analyzed each organization's mandate, policy, structure, expertise, activities and budget from the perspective of women and armed conflict.