Women Building Peace: What They Do, Why it Matters

by Anderlini

How and why do women's contributions matter in peace and security processes? Why should women's activities in this sphere be explored separately from peacebuilding efforts in general? Decisively answering these questions, Sanam Anderlini offers a comprehensive, cross-regional analysis of women's peacebuilding initiatives around the world. Anderlini also traces the evolution of international policies in this arena and highlights the endemic problems that stunt progress. Her astute analysis, based on extensive research and field experience, demonstrates how gender sensitivity in programming can be a catalytic component in the complex task of building sustainable peace and provides concrete examples of how to draw on women's untapped potential.

Genres: Feminism, Gender

257 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2007

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant and well researched review of what is happening in the global peace process up to 2007. Specifically, Anderlini wishes to acknowledge the work that women, globally, are doing to maintain or restore peace as well as how they are treated in times before, during, and after violence. She also goes over what the international community has done in the past, it's failures and ways to empower the grassroots efforts to make lasting changes.

It is humbling to uncover the work that goes into reconciliation processes. It is disheartening to understand the complete lack of awareness or attention given to women all over: as victims, as forced combatants, as survivors, as community builders after the fact.

Covers: prevention of conflict, peace negotiations process, DDR, governance and transitional justice with a wealth of information, historical review, first hand accounts and multiple sources.

[chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

read parts of this for "gender and global politics" class. not the best.