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Home»GSDRC Publications»Aid Interventions on Gender and Conflict

Aid Interventions on Gender and Conflict

Helpdesk Report
  • Seema Khan
May 2009

Question

What aid interventions have been effective in post-conflict situations? Where in the MECAB region (notably the Middle East and Eastern and Central Asia) has aid been effective in alleviating the impacts on women’s lives in three respects: freedom of movement and access to services; gender-based violence; and voice and participation? Where in the MECAB region has aid been effective in preventing or reversing the social processes noted above?

Summary

Many experts point out that the impact of aid interventions on gender, especially in post-conflict settings, is rarely measured. Most of the literature on aid programmes that is available often takes a more critical perspective, with a view to suggesting what could have been done better. As a result, there is relatively more information on the strategies which are considered successful.

Most commentators agree that the post-conflict period offers a unique opportunity to reconstruct a nation, including its social and political norms. This brings with it the chance of transforming conceptions about gender roles, gender-sensitising key sectors such as education and health, and laying the foundation for gender equality in the future. Post-conflict activities must address the effects of women’s exposure to increased physical, social and medical vulnerability during the conflict – including sexualised violence both within and outside the domestic sphere; family disruptions; and displacement. On the other hand, the experiences women often gain from taking on new roles during conflict, as heads of household and income-earners, for example, also bring an added dimension to the post-conflict reconstruction phase.

The main challenges for humanitarian aid actors therefore are to:

  • harness the post-conflict momentum for change to focus attention on gender equality and promote the participation of women
  • rebuild civil society
  • gender-sensitise the post-conflict legal framework
  • create equal employment and livelihoods opportunities
  • rehabilitate social services
  • empower and mobilise communities to address gender issues.

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Enquirer:

  • DFID Iraq

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