This dissertation is organized into eight chapters. The chapters are structured to each begin with an introduction and in some instances and excerpt, followed by basic and in-depth discussions and analyses of the chapter’s theme of focus, and a summary conclusion. Chapters five, six and seven are narrative presentations and analyses of primary data that aligns with, as well as challenges existing literature, and reflects on the implications of the research findings for theory and practice. In this manner,
Chapter One provides an overview of the women and peacebuilding discourse. It lays down the foundation of the study and encapsulates the direction the research is expected to take. It provides an orientation of the research theme by putting into context the subject of women and peacebuilding that captures a brief history of the Liberian conflict and women’s experiences therein. The chapter also identifies the research problem, outlines the research questions and hypotheses, specific objectives, and discusses the rationale and relevance of the
12 This contribution to the study is presented in chapter two of this dissertation, and has already been published for reference as - Shulika L.S (2016) Women and Peace building: From Historical to Contemporary African Perspectives. Ubuntu: Journal of Conflict and Social Transformation Volume 5, Number 1, 2016 Pp 7- 31.
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study. Finally, the chapter presents a synopsis of how the units of the dissertation are structured and the concluding remarks.
Chapter Two on literature review looks at the changing landscape and framework of women’s peacebuilding role. It reviews different areas of relevant literature on women and peacebuilding in Africa. This includes literature on the historical underpinnings of women’s roles from the past through to this contemporary era to better ground perspectives on the women-peacebuilding nexus. It also examines literature on women as conflict instigators, combatants, caregivers and peacebuilders, as well as literature policy instruments affirmative to the important role of women in decision-making and peace processes, and the exercise of these roles through women’s organizations. The chapter is further presented with an accent on exploring the knowledge gap in existing studies that are also peculiar to Liberia. Thus, it reviews scholarly perspectives on women’s roles in peacebuilding, while appraising the African women’s leadership and peacebuilding agency prior to and in the contemporary consciousness.
Chapter Three presents the theoretical frameworks that underlie the study. These include post-conflict peacebuilding, reconstruction and development theory, as well as Maxine Molyneux’s organizational theory. The conceptualization of these theories is captured in the question: how is peace built in post-conflict societies and how do women organizations fit into the equation, as its thematic focus. Reflective of the topic of this study, the use of the two theories serve to build on rife perspectives of identifying critical contextual and substantive elements at the helm of post-conflict developments and the agency of women organizations as dynamic architects in shaping the processes. So, the use of the post-conflict theory in this study sets the pace for subsequent analyses that underscore its implementation as an all- inclusive and cogitated framework for managing and enhancing the platform for desired sustainability of the post-conflict agenda. Likewise, Maxine Molyneux’s organizational theory is used in the analytical chapters that follow to explore women’s peacebuilding roles in Liberia as imperative for the consolidation and operative realization of the country’s post- conflict processes.
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Chapter Four discusses the research methodology and methods of the study. It reflects of the qualitative methodology, the use of secondary and primary data sources, the purposive sampling and content and narrative data analyses methods adopted by the study. The chapter also justifies motives for the choice of these research methods, it profiles the participants as the subject matter of the research, discusses ethical issues, the limitations of the study, as well as challenges encountered before and during the process of data collection in Liberia
Chapter Five focuses on the pursuit of peace, experiences and approaches of women and women organizations in Liberia. This chapter, being the principal unit of this study, draws field discussions to establish the coming into being of women’s organizations in Liberia and their journey in the pursuit of peace for the country. Engaging both the historical and practical analyses of women’s proactive role and contributions to peacebuilding in Liberia, the chapter elaborates how women’s involvement builds from their experiences of conflict, how it defines, captures, and addresses their basic and strategic needs. In this given, the chapter builds on Molyneux’s views of ‘practical and strategic interests and appraises how women’s strategic interests, which has to do with their position in society, are diversified across their different networks of organizations in Liberia. This, the chapter achieves by engaging discussions on women’s individual agencies and mixt organizational strategies they employ(ed) to challenge the patriarchal structures of conflict for the resolve of peace. In discussing these strategies, note is taken of how the assumption of different peacebuilding approaches by women have even in the matter of post-conflict continued to influence the outcomes of security sector reform, justice and reconciliation, socio-economic wellbeing, and governance and political participation processes in Liberia.
Chapter Six examines the complementarity of the government, local, international institutions and women’s roles in Liberia’s peacebuilding architecture from the angle of an interpersonal support platform. This chapter explores how the government of Liberia and international and local organizations support women and women’s organizations to build and enhance long-term peace and security in Liberia. This chapter is necessary because women organizations do not operate in a vacuum, and their roles as peacebuilders remain incomplete without the support of these stakeholders in the implementation of post-conflict processes. The chapter records that established policies by these stakeholders consistent with
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UNSCR 1325 to empower and promote women’s political participation and governance, represent efforts to address some of the challenges to women’s roles in Liberia’s peacebuilding architecture.
Chapter Seven assesses the challenges to women’s peacebuilding role in Liberia. It stems from the premise that despite women’s instrumental peacebuilding roles and the support from government and other organizational bodies, women continue to face challenges in their efforts to consolidate peace and influence sustainable post-conflict processes. The chapter discusses in broader terms the nature and dynamics of factors that limit women’s distinctive roles as peacebuilders. These challenges range from marginal representation, lack of capacity building skills and development opportunities, domestic and sexual violence against women and girls, disunity amongst women groups, patriarchy and ingrained cultural practices, etc.
The chapter also notes that despite the significant progress made by women in building peace, they have lost the rally point that united them to fight for the peace Liberia celebrates today, thus a major challenge in itself.
Chapter Eight draws summative insights from all the chapters and concludes the study by recapping the research findings and observations on the subject of women and peacebuilding in Liberia. The section discusses the contributions of the study, as well as lessons that can be learnt from the Liberian experience to develop guidelines for policy considerations for women’s organizations and questions for further research.