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Can women benefit from war? Women’s agency in conflict and post-conflict societies

Author

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  • Punam Yadav

    (Centre for Gender and Disaster, Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, 4919University College London)

Abstract

Women’s agency in Peace and Conflict Studies has received increased policy attention since the formulation of UN Security Council Resolution in 2000. Academic attention regarding this question has, as a result, also increased dramatically in the intervening period. Women today, as a consequence, are not just seen as victims of conflict, but also as agents of change. Despite their vulnerabilities in the situations created by conflict, women may be exposed to new knowledge and opportunities, which may have positive impacts on their lives. Therefore, it is important to recognize the lived realities and the multiple stories of postwar societies to address the new needs of people and build a sustainable peace. This article examines the everyday lives of women in post-conflict Nepal to demonstrate the significant transformations that have taken place since the war. It specifically investigates conflict-induced social and structural changes through the lived experiences of women tempo drivers, war widows, women ex-combatants and women politicians. This article is based on the analysis of 200 interviews and six focus group discussions (FGDs) carried out over a period of 12 years in seven districts of Nepal.

Suggested Citation

  • Punam Yadav, 2021. "Can women benefit from war? Women’s agency in conflict and post-conflict societies," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 58(3), pages 449-461, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:joupea:v:58:y:2021:i:3:p:449-461
    DOI: 10.1177/0022343320905619
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yumna Asaf, 2017. "Syrian Women and the Refugee Crisis: Surviving the Conflict, Building Peace, and Taking New Gender Roles," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Tilman Bruck & Kati Schindler, 2009. "The Impact of Violent Conflicts on Households: What Do We Know and What Should We Know about War Widows?," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(3), pages 289-309.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mulubrhan Amare & Lucia Carrillo & Katrina Kosec & Jordan Kyle, 2024. "Conflict, Aspirations, and Women’s Empowerment: Household Survey Evidence from Farmer-Herder Conflicts in Nigeria," HiCN Working Papers 421, Households in Conflict Network.
    2. Heckert, Jessica & Sow, Doulo & Tranchant, Jean-Pierre & Paz, Florencia & Gelli, Aulo, 2025. "Women’s empowerment and conflict in Burkina Faso: Learning from a randomized trial and non-random conflict," IFPRI discussion papers 2403, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Kammer, Daniel & Greiner-Filsinger, Alina, 2026. "Genocide, women’s empowerment, and intergenerational transmission of violent attitudes," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).

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