Stop Violence Against Women

Women in Post-Conflict Situations

Download this fact sheet: PDF

Post-conflict reconstruction periods are times of tremendous change that lay the groundwork for the future of the state and society. Post-conflict reconstruction occurs in three broad areas: political, economic, and social, all of which are connected. Women's status and experiences prior to and during conflict heavily influences their roles and experiences in the post-conflict period. It is a critical time in which new gains for women can be made or women's rights can be eroded.

International Human Rights Foundations

The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (DEVAW) defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) defines discrimination against women as any "distinction, exclusion or restriction made on a basis of men and women which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights or fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

General Recommendation No.19 of CEDAW recognizes that gender-based violence is a form of discrimination covered by the convention. To combat gender-based violence, States must employ effective, preventative and protective measures to ensure that women's human rights remain intact.

The Rome Statute recognizes rape and other forms of sexual violence by combatants in the conduct of armed conflict as war crimes. When rape and sexual violence are committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, they are considered crimes against humanity, and in some cases may constitute an element of genocide.

UN Resolution 1325 emphasizes the responsibility of all states to put an end to impunity and to prosecute those responsible for war crimes relating to sexual and other violence against women. It calls for an increase in the participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes and calls for the protection and respect of human rights of women and girls during the reconstruction process, particularly as they relate to the constitution, the electoral system, the police, and the judiciary.

The Windhoek Declaration, adopted by the United Nations in May 2000, specifically acknowledges the need for the preservation of women's human rights and gender equity during periods of post-conflict. Specifically, it calls upon UN members to ensure women remain free of physical and mental violence. In addition, the Declaration calls for the integration of gender issues in any UN peacekeeping mission, for equal involvement of women in ceasefire and peace talks, and for the appointment of women to relevant high-ranking UN posts.

Issues Affecting Women in Post-Conflict Situations

There are a variety of issues that affect women in post-conflict environments. These include coping with the consequences of rape and sexual violence, coping with the deaths of family and friends, impunity for perpetrators of such violence, the insurgence of domestic violence, difficulty in providing for families, and "disappearances."

Addressing the Consequences of Rape and Sexual Violence in Post-Conflict Situations
Women who have survived sexual violence during armed conflict must cope with the physical, psychological, social, and cultural repercussions of that violence when the conflict is resolved. Physical consequences of sexual violence may include sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, female genital mutilation, gynecological problems including scarring of the vagina and uterine problems, pregnancy, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Social and cultural consequences may include rejection by family members and the community and a variety of social stigmas, including the inability to marry. All too often, the physical and mental health services necessary for women to move forward with their lives are unavailable to women in post-conflict situations. This is particularly true for women living in rural areas.

Impunity for Perpetrators of Rape and Sexual Violence in War
After periods of armed conflicts, perpetrators of rape and sexual violence often go unpunished for their crimes committed during war. Few women are able to seek justice against their abusers. Even when adequate judicial systems exist, testifying against alleged perpetrators in the post-conflict period is often very difficult for survivors due largely to the social stigma attached to women who speak out against their abusers. Many women choose not to testify because they do not want to bring further "shame" to themselves or their family. Witnesses may fear repercussions from perpetrators of sexual violence, many whom may still be at large or operating in their former positions with impunity.

Increase in Domestic Violence in Post-Conflict Situations
During periods of civil unrest, women face increased violence in public and in the home. There is increasing evidence that domestic violence intensifies during times of armed conflict (UNDP). New studies suggest that domestic violence continues to intensify after the conflict and is worse than it was during the conflict.
Post-conflict violence against women may be exacerbated by the reintegration of male ex-combatants into society without the necessary psychological services. This may lead to increased violence in the household, where women and children are often the easiest targets for their aggression (Oxfam). When states fail to take the basic steps necessary to protect women from domestic violence or allow these crimes to be committed with impunity, they are failing in their obligation to protect women's human rights.

Women's Economic Challenges in Post-Conflict Situations
An unstable post-conflict economy can wreak havoc on women who already face economic marginalization. Widows, single women without family support and female-headed households are especially susceptible to increased economic hardship. The death of a spouse during conflict also has potentially devastating economic results for a family. In some conflict-ridden countries, women may not have property rights, inheritance rights, or access to pensions, which increase women's economic fragility.
Economic marginalization may also result from the destruction of personal property during conflict. Likewise, the destruction of infrastructure that often occurs during armed conflict affects the ability to find work outside the home. If a man is unable to find work, a woman is often responsible for compensating for this loss of income by engaging in moneymaking activities in addition to her traditional subsistence and care-taking roles. These activities extend the workday of the woman and are likely to take place in the informal economic sector. A sudden increase in poverty and lack of economic opportunities also increase women's vulnerability to trafficking and sexual slavery.

Effects of "Disappearances" on Women
Many women have lost relatives in war-torn regions due to separation and loss, death and "disappearance." Women are often unable to discover what has happened to their family members, where they might be, or even if they are still alive. Many women face severe financial hardships if the main breadwinner "disappears" and often cannot remarry because their marital status is unclear.
Under international human rights law, relatives and dependents of a "disappeared" person are considered victims of "disappearance" crimes. In the majority of cases, the relatives and dependants are mothers, wives, or daughters. International human rights bodies have held that the psychological anguish and distress caused to the relatives of the "disappeared" is itself a violation of the prohibition against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Women's Roles in Reconstruction

Local women's organizations are often active both during and after armed conflict. However, their role is frequently marginalized during national peace negotiations and periods of reconstruction. Traditionally, women have not been invited to participate in reconstruction efforts and therefore women's rights have been sacrificed at the altar of national unity. Women and children account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict, which reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. It is therefore necessary for women to have equal participation and full involvement in all peace-building efforts to ensure that women's issues are addressed during this critical time.

International human rights standards must be promoted and enforced in post-conflict situations. Women's human rights include the right to non-discriminatory treatment in political, social, economic, and cultural spheres. Violence against women during armed conflict, as well as the violence that persists in the post-conflict environment must be addressed. It is essential that women play an active role in reconstruction in order to ensure that a lasting and equitable peace, firmly rooted in respect for all people's human rights, is created.

Amnesty International USA