This topic guide responds to the need for deeper understanding of how gender and conflict interrelate in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCAS), and of gender-sensitive approaches in such contexts. Drawing on a literature review, it highlights key texts and identifies the strength of evidence alongside gaps in evidence. It summarises the evidence on the role of gender inequality in producing or exacerbating the structural causes of different forms of violence and conflict, and on the multi-layered effects of violence and conflict on gender relations. The topic guide also signposts evidence on the effects of interventions to support gender equality in FCAS, and emerging lessons.
The evidence base for exploring these issues is limited in a number of ways. Much of the available literature is secondary, and conceptual or normative. Only a few empirical studies, focused on a limited number of countries (mostly in Africa), apply a multi-country comparative approach or qualitative country case study methods. There are few rigorous randomised control trials or impact evaluations able to attribute improved development outcomes or processes of conflict transformation to gender-sensitive approaches in FCAS.
There are three main arguments in the literature for incorporating gender in conflict-related work. One is that promoting women’s and girls’ rights in conflict-affected contexts has instrumental value. Another, rights-based, argument is that gender equality has intrinsic value. A third is that gender and conflict are linked in ways that are poorly understood, and that this deficiency needs to be reversed if real impact is to be realised.
Evidence indicates that conflict affects women, men, girls and boys differently in their experiences of violence, health impacts, economic activity, and political and civic inclusion. Conflict can result in short-term changes in traditional gender roles, though long-term changes may be more elusive. Both men and women can be the victims and the perpetrators of violence.
Barriers to building gender equality in FCAS include the resilience of patriarchy, violence and women’s exclusion. There are also risks – or potential unintended consequences – associated with incorporating gender in conflict-related work, both for populations and donors. These include potential backlash against women and girls, and the risks of data collection on gender issues in conflict-affected contexts.