Exploring women-led peace efforts among local communities: a case study of Goma, Eastern Congo

Abstract

Capturing the experiences and roles of women in conflict zones remains a significant challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This is partly because women-led peace initiatives are poorly understood, a situation that can be attributed to several factors. First, research on the intersection of gender, conflict, and peace is limited, particularly regarding how gender equality impacts peacebuilding efforts. Second, the complex and dynamic nature of women’s peacebuilding experiences in different social contexts is rarely documented. This is partly because gendered responsibilities often shape peacebuilding agency, with women’s actions typically aligning with societal norms. Third, the informal roles that women undertake in peacebuilding are frequently overlooked. These roles are often performed by ordinary, often uneducated women who engage in everyday peace processes but remain unrecognized due to their lower social status.

To address these gaps, this dissertation examines women-led peace efforts within local communities in Eastern Congo. Specifically, it analyses how women contribute to peacebuilding and how their efforts are perceived by those around them. The study employs a qualitative case study approach, drawing on interviews with 14 women peacebuilders and 3 men. These interviews explore the participants’ experiences, roles, and challenges in peacebuilding. The dissertation adopts a theoretical framework situated at the intersection of African feminism, Ubuntu, and the Ethics of Care. This framework allows for a nuanced understanding of the formality and informality of women’s roles in peacebuilding at the community level, how they engage with and navigate socio-cultural issues that act as both a community bond and a barrier to achieving particular peace goals. This includes the power relations that underpin the patriarchal systems, which are prevalent in many African societies.

Despite the significant challenges associated with implementing Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) policies, the findings suggest that these policies benefit certain women peacebuilders in particular. They not only inform their work but also serve as a vital reference for emphasizing the role of women as active agents in peacebuilding. Furthermore, some peacebuilders have translated these policies into local languages to improve community understanding. However, a significant gap remains; not all women peacebuilders are aware of these policies, and there is often resistance to foreign initiatives, particularly when they do not align with local realities.

The findings of this dissertation highlight the challenges that exist in Eastern Congo, such as deep-seated mistrust between and among communities. Although people may share physical spaces, they are often divided by tribal and political affiliations often create barriers to genuine community interaction. Despite pervasive social norms and the effects of patriarchy, the findings also show that Congolese women are remarkably resilient in their peacebuilding efforts. They are actively combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), advocating for women’s rights, and contributing to community-based peace initiatives. These efforts are deeply shaped by the socio-cultural conditions in which they live, highlighting the interplay between structural constraints and individual agency. The study also reveals that women affected by SGBV often find it easier to open up to other women, particularly within women-led groups. This level of trust highlights the pivotal role women play in supporting victims of abuse.

Furthermore, the findings show that, despite traditional gender roles being deeply entrenched in the communities where the research took place, these women are challenging societal norms and demonstrating their critical role in promoting peace and social cohesion in conflict-affected communities. This challenges the conventional notion that women play a passive role in peacebuilding processes in conflict zones. The findings also suggest that women are increasingly optimistic about challenging regressive customs and practices through dialogue and informal discussions with community leaders. Women peacebuilders are gradually building trust within local communities, thereby increasing the effectiveness of their awareness-raising efforts. This demonstrates how women navigate through cultural norms to exercise their peacebuilding agency.

Overall, this dissertation contributes to both the academic and policy discourse on gender, peace and conflict by reframing women as active agents in peacebuilding and offering insights to strengthen the agency of individual women peacebuilders and that of women-led peacebuilding organizations in achieving long-term peace goals. The dissertation also contributes to the broader discussions on the need to understand the everyday peace efforts of ordinary citizens in achieving peace goals, rather than focusing solely on macro-level peace deals that take place at the state level, which often do not consider micro-level contexts of peace.