African Women's Report 1998: Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Africa: A Gender Perspective

Abstract

The African Women’s Report 1998 has focused on post conflict reconstruction from a gender perspective. The intention is to examine post-conflict reconstruction with its differing gender roles and impact and derive best practices for fostering gender-balanced, sustainable development, on platforms that mobilize both men and women to play their parts. The full formal and informal participation of both sexes is very important to sustainable peace and to the efficient use of all available human resources for rebuilding a war-torn society. Despite the tragedy, trauma and waste of conflict, out of the ashes and debris and broken lives can emerge a positive opportunity to reconstruct a more functional, flexible and inclusive society with enhanced political, economic and social roles, values and structures changed for the better by the bitter experience. The Report begins by introducing definitions and concepts of conflict, reconstruction and gender. It then examines the causes and nature of African conflicts, because an understanding of sources and origins is a vital precondition to finding solutions and relevant compromises that can build and maintain peace. It then examines the changing nature of gender roles in political, economic and social reconstruction, identifying effective strategies and practices that could be replicated as innovative experiences. It concludes with preface delineation of practical areas of focus for ensuring gender-balanced reconstruction.