Towards Improved Gender Inclusive Peacebuilding in Africa: Policy Implications

Abstract

Purpose: Although several earlier studies have looked at peacebuilding and its limiting aspects, research on gender-inclusive peacebuilding dimensions remains limited, especially in Africa. Global events have continued to emphasise the inextricable pertinence of the interconnectedness between peace, conflict and gender. This reinforces how masculinity crises cause violence against some other genders. This study sought to examine gender- inclusive peacebuilding gaps in Africa and provide policy suggestions for improvements.   Methods: Qualitative research methodology was employed through an analysis of secondary data gleaned from available work obtained from academics, peace experts, research reports, international agencies and various organizations.   Results & conclusion: The study shows that conflict dynamics are essentially gendered and made out of gendered identities. Developing gender-inclusive peacebuilding processes, exclusively being attentive to intersectionality, involves bringing different views into peacebuilding processes. For improvement, some strategies and opportunities should involve altering power imbalances within structures to promote peace.    Originality/Value: This is one of the few studies that establishes gender inclusive peacebuilding in the African continent and provides cross-cutting policy implications rather than those that are country specific.  Moreover, gender inclusive peacebuilding is a topical issue that occupies the peacebuilding global agenda.