Claiming space

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies argues for the inclusion of women in peace negotiations, peace-building, and post-conflict reconstruction in Africa. It examines the gender-based violence women face during conflict, the historical exclusion of women from political processes, and the potential of international and regional rights-based frameworks—such as those from the UN and AU—to secure gender equality and political representation.

• Women and girls in African conflict zones face severe gender-based violence, including rape, torture, and mutilation, which are often used as weapons of war to control communities. These crimes are frequently undocumented or unpunished due to the collapse of justice systems and social stigmas.
• Historically, women's participation in African liberation struggles did not automatically lead to gender equality in the resulting states. Women's concerns were often subordinated to national political goals, and the belief that emancipation would follow national triumph proved to be a myth.
• International and regional rights-based frameworks, including UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the AU's Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, provide essential tools for women to advocate for equality and inclusion in peace processes.
• The effectiveness of women's rights is often compromised by the coexistence of dual legal systems, where customary and religious laws are frequently given precedence over statutory laws that protect women.
• Post-conflict reconstruction offers a critical opportunity to innovatively reconstitute societal structures to empower women, provided that gender-based violent crimes are treated as war crimes under frameworks like the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

APA

Koen, K. (2006). Claiming space. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper121.pdf

Chicago

Koen, Karin. Claiming space. Institute for Security Studies, 2006. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper121.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Koen |first1=Karin |title=Claiming space |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=February 2006 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper121.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{koen2006claiming, author = {Koen, Karin}, title = {{Claiming space}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2006}, month = feb, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Paper121.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }