Gender and International Relations - Research Essay

Research Question

1. Why is gender equality and inequality associated with conflict/conflict?

2. What evidence is there of gender as a causal factor in different intrastate armed conflicts?

3. How has gender acted as a causal factor in intra-state armed conflict, and how has conflict affected the involved parties/state?

4. How does gender equality impact the onset of armed conflicts?

ATS 3697 Gender and International Relations

Siddarth Kamath

Research proposal

The contributions of gender in international relations is highly valuable, providing

a greater insight into understanding the study of international relations. It is important to note that gender is not synonymous with women, and that is characterized inclusively. Feminist theory states that disregarding gender constructs a limited understanding of security which does not take into consideration dynamic realities in international relations. Furthermore, feminists assert that unawareness of gender bolsters the gender hierarchies which traditionally exist in society which value the masculine dominance over the feminine (Ann Tickner, 1992; Hooper, 2001). As Melander (date) contends, the analysis of gender linked to feminism emphasizes the underlying normative biases inlayed in the bedrock of IR theory. Feminists especially focus on security studies as well as the marginalization of women mainly in conflict situations. This study seeks to recognize the impact of gender equality and its relationship with the onset of armed conflicts. Using certain measures of gender equality such asl the percentage of women in the parliament of a state as well as gender disparity between men and women, this study shall illustrate the relationship between gender and armed conflict. These two measures illustrate the “relative degree of subordination” which Melander (date) argues the more equal societies are associated with lower levels of intrastate armed conflict. These measures should give us a more accurate representation of the onset of armed conflicts, and the role of gender equality in understanding ways to lower levels of armed conflict in the globe. This proposal shall take into consideration case studies while relating theoretical background to better illustrate the association between armed conflict and gender equality.

Scholars also believe that gender roles and their accompanying attitudes are socially built and significantly impact peace and violence (Wali, 2015). The study also reveals that gender roles are evident in various intrastate conflicts. The research shows that there is a correlation between war and gender other than causation. This indicates that gender is a significant factor in encouraging men and, in some circumstances, women to take part in the conflict. Moreover, it acts as a discourse to fuel, invoke, and perpetuate violence and conflict (Birchall, 2019). However, this evidence does not suggest that gender is the sole cause or driver of conflict. It is always intertwined with other economic, social, political, and cultural factors. Krause (2019) also supports the role of gender in war. The study reveals that there are links between outbreaks of violent conflict and gender inequality. This evidence is a clear indication that gender inequality and conflict interrelate. True and Riveros-Morales (2019) reveal that substantial evidence is based on how values and beliefs behind unequal gendered roles and power interrelate and support conflict. According to the study, traditional patriarchal gender identities result in violent and militaristic approaches. Schaftenaar (2017) reveals that a country with female suffrage for many years is more likely to resolve conflict without military violence. The study also revealed that perfect equality in gender could indirectly maximize a state’s stability through its effect on income and wealth.

According to Lange and Young (2019), literature has revealed that gender has been

involved in causing conflict in states like Iraq, Colombia, northern Uganda, Nepal, Sudan, and South Sudan. However, these studies focus on the motivations of individuals and groups to be involved in intrastate conflicts. The study also particularly reveals the gender dynamics of broader systemic causes of war. Some of the reason’s individuals are engaged in conflict to include; protecting their families, supporting political ideology they believed in, and gender differences. According to Wali (2015), women reported joining armed groups to escape gender-based violence or benefit from greater gender equality. On the other hand, men are motivated to participate in violent conflict to adhere to dominant ideas of successful manhood. Also, available literature reveals that gender stereotypes that portray men as decision-makers, providers, and as strong, heroic, and brave actively motivate conflict.

Evidence also revealed that regardless of many studies exploring the interlink between gender and intrastate conflict, few literatures have investigated gender's impact of gender on intra-state armed conflict (Fausiah et al., 2020). This means that there is a significance of examining the effects of gender equality/inequality in peacemaking processes. This study is particularly critical since it will ass knowledge in this field of research and ease peacemaking globally. Gender theory has been critical in implementing more gender-sensitive approaches to armed conflict. Besides, (True, 2020) argues that gender norms around masculinity and femininity have a tremendous and influential role in the conflict. This is evident in combatants in Colombia. The study also reveals that masculinity is not incidental to militarism; instead, it is essential to its maintenance. Therefore, the theory will be critical to understanding the impact of gender on intra-state armed conflict and how-to reconciliation warring groups/states.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fausiah, F., Turnip, S. S., & Hauff, E., 2020. Gender differences and the correlates of violent behaviors among high school students in a post‐conflict area in Indonesia. Asia‐Pacific Psychiatry, e12383.

Lange, E., & Young, S., 2019. Gender-based violence as difficult knowledge: pedagogies for rebalancing the masculine and the feminine. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 38(3), 301-326.

Melander, E., 2005. Gender Equality and Intrastate Armed Conflict. International Studies Quarterly, 49(4), pp.695-714.

Schaftenaar, S., 2017. How (wo) men rebel: Exploring the effect of gender equality on nonviolent and armed conflict onset. Journal of Peace Research, 54(6), pp.762-776.

Tickner, J. Ann. (1992) Gender in International Relations. New York: Columbia University Press

True, J., 2020. Continuums of violence and peace: A feminist perspective. Ethics & International Affairs, 34(1), 1-11.

True, J., & Riveros-Morales, Y., 2019. Towards inclusive peace: Analysing gender-sensitive peace agreements 2000–2016. International Political Science Review, 40(1), 23-40.

Wali, I., 2015. Gender specific effects of armed conflict in Africa: A case of women in Northern Uganda (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

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Dear Siddarth,

Thank you for your submission. This is a reasonable piece, though there are a few areas of improvement prior to the final submission:

· First, you have listed five question here – you are only needing to have one research question for this essay, and it is difficult to award you full marks or give you feedback on your question, as I am not sure what question you are taking forward. Once you narrow down your research question to just one, please feel free to write to me to get some feedback on it.

· Second, on a theoretical note, you write ‘Feminist theory states that disregarding gender constructs a limited understanding of security which does not take into consideration dynamic realities in international relations’, and you mention ‘feminist theory’ one or two other times in the proposal. I am still not entirely sure what ‘feminist theory’ you are using – feminist theory is a very broad and diverse area, which is not homogenous, so you need to be much more specific here as to what you mean by feminist theory, and what particular feminist theoretical approach you are using. You should then justify why this feminist theory is the most appropriate and cite authors who use it to demonstrate your knowledge of the literature.

· There are also some errors and awkward sentence structure here – for example ‘asl’, and your use of US spelling appears a few times (i.e. ‘characterized’). Then, you have some sentences that are quite awkward, such as: ‘Besides, (True, 2020) argues that gender norms around masculinity and femininity have a tremendous and influential role in the conflict. This is evident in combatants in Colombia. The study also reveals that masculinity is not incidental to militarism; instead, it is essential to its maintenance. Therefore, the theory will be critical to understanding the impact of gender on intra-state armed conflict and how-to reconciliation warring groups/states’. How is it evident in combatants in Colombia? What study are you referring to? And you should cite True here as ‘True (2020)’. And, what is ‘the theory’ here? And ‘how-to reconciliation’ does not make sense.

· You also have incomplete references: ‘Melander (date)’