2011 Catalytic Workshop:
Gendered Peace? The Problematique of Gender Analyses in Peace Research

Workshop Chair:Swati Parashar, University of Limerick
Location:Salon 3, Sheraton
Time:8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Workshop Summary

Gender as an analytical category has not been adequately applied in cases of war and peace. Moreover, stereotypes of gender (women as peacemakers, men as war makers) have often been deployed in the study of conflicts and also in peace research. This workshop aims to begin conversations on the problematique of gender analyses in peace research. It will explore through the works of participating activists and scholars, the challenges and opportunities that exist in applying gender as an analytical category in making sense of conflicts and post conflict peace initiatives. The workshop will not only look at the theoretical aspects of gendered peace and gendered violence, but will also critically examine the gender, peace and security initiatives of the UN. We hope that the workshop will reveal scholarly insights on how gender informs peace studies and how it can both perpetuate stereotypes as well as challenge existing norms of post conflict peace.

The participants of this workshop are well established practitioners and scholars in the field of conflict and peace studies who have addressed important gender questions in their research. The workshop is also an attempt to bring scholars from different regions (India, Mexico, US, UK, Ireland and New Zealand) together on a common platform to discuss issues of common concern and we expect an honest exchange of ideas and a wide range of conversations.

This initiative is first of its kinds undertaken by the Peace Studies Section and we hope to not only propose a panel for ISA 2012, but also publish the proceedings of the workshop in a relevant journal and in an edited book. We believe that this workshop will set the trend for more conversations on the intersections of gender with peace and conflict studies, which is much needed at this critical juncture when many societies are engaged in post conflict peace processes, and several international and regional conventions have attempted to mainstream gender in peace, conflict and security issues.

Workshop Participants (tentative)

  • Christine Sylvester, Lancaster University
  • Megan MacKenzie, Victoria University of Wellington
  • Ursula Oswald Spring, National University of Mexico
  • Serena Erendira Serrano, Mexican Council of Science
  • Yeshi Choedon, Jawaharlal Nehru University
  • Swati Parashar, University of Limerick
  • Lucian Ashworth, University of Limerick
  • Jennifer A. Davis, National Defense Intelligence College
  • Soumita Basu, Kenyon College
  • Catia C. Canfortini, Wellesley College