Logotyp: till Försvarshögskolans hemsida

Women’s participation in peace negotiation and agreement processes have been found to have a positive impact on the post-accord trajectory of ending war and making peace. However, it also appears that women’s participation in such processes is a complex matter, concerning more than only embodied inclusion, especially connected to potential impact. Therefore, this thesis poses an inquiry concerning how different levels of women’s participation, conceptualised along a continuum, may impact outcomes, in terms of gender provisions as women’s substantive representation, in the resulting accords. This is studied through a qualitative comparative case study of three negotiation processes representing three different levels of women’s participation from low to high, and the respective ensuing agreements. By conducting this study, the thesis aims to contribute further knowledge that may be insightful for a more nuanced and detailed understanding of women’s participation in peace negotiations and its impact.

The analysis finds clear differences in the outcomes of the respective processes, which appear to mirror and possibly be traced back to differences in how and to what extent women’s participation impacted the meaning-making processes of each negotiation and agreement, depending on the level of participation. The findings underline the importance of a high level of meaningful participation for the fulfilment of the interrelationship between women’s participation and a positive post-accord trajectory that effectively and sustainably ends war and conflict. Furthermore, they highlight the complex dynamism that marks women’s participation in peace negotiation processes, and the need for this to be taken into consideration when analysing and understanding women’s participation, impact and outcomes.