Women and Liberal Peacebuilding in Post- Conflict Northern Uganda: community social work agenda revisited?
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Date
2017
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Publisher
African Sociological Review
Abstract
This paper examines women’s participation in post-conflict peacebuilding activities within
the neo-liberal peace theory and framework. Using qualitative approach, the study gathered
information from 40 women and several key informants working and living in post-conflict
northern Uganda. The paper utilizes this information in reflecting on how women live in and
engage with their communities in post-conflict settings, and also assess the actual actions and
initiatives that women develop in post-conflict situation, the space available to them and the
emergent context. The paper also analyses the extent to which these factors shape community
post-conflict adjustments. Key challenges affecting women’s participation in the peacebuilding
processes, mainly at grassroots and community levels are examined. The major conclusion of the
paper is that liberal peacebuilding approach does not fully espouse, embrace or explain issues of
critical consciousness, social and strategic agency nor does it prepare the women to effectively
engage their society. I argue that this limitation and omission do not adequately prepare
women to confront social issues and oppressive practices as well as challenge certain traditions
and power structures, issues that are hall marks of community based social work.
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Keywords
Women, Liberal Peacebuilding, Post- Conflict Northern Uganda, Community social work agenda
Citation
Ochen, E. A. (2017). Women and Liberal Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Northern Uganda: community social work agenda revisited?. African Sociological Review/Revue Africaine de Sociologie, 21(2), 15-35.