Engendering the Peace Process in Africa 2000-2005

In order to study the role of women in the various stages of peace and conflict, we must first understand the underlying concepts inherent in these processes and the ways in which women understand and use these concepts in their work. Also important is how these concepts have been translated into concrete mechanisms for use at the international, regional, national and local levels to promote gender equality in peacebuilding. This paper will first provide a conceptual framework to allow a more thorough understanding of how the concepts of peace and conflict; security and development; and gender are generally understood in the context of this study. It will then examine how these concepts have been transformed into legal mechanisms by the international community. After this overview, the study will examine how women have (or have not) incorporated these mechanisms into their own conflict prevention, management, resolution and peacebuilding activities.