The gendered dimension of violence and the role played by masculinities during the Second Congo War

Authors

  • Wiriranai Brilliant Masara

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/10.51867/scimundi.1.1.2021.44

Keywords:

Gender Inequality, Gendered Dimension, Masculinity, Violent Conflicts, Eastern DRC, Africa

Abstract

The paper examines the gendered dimension of violence in violent conflicts. It examines the theoretical position that violence in conflict is more likely to affect women more than men. This argument is emphasised by examining previous conflict contexts around Africa but primarily referring to Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The paper underscores the role played by masculinity in spearheading violence towards women during and after conflict. However, the paper also discusses how men are victims of violence in conflict, albeit at a lower rate than women.

References

Aoláin, F., Haynes, D., & Cahn, N. (2011). On the frontlines: Gender, war, and the post-conflict process. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Barker, G., & Ricardo, C. (2005). Young men and the Construction of Masculinity in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for HIV/AIDS, Conflict and Violence. Social Development Papers, Paper No.26.

Birchall, J. (2019). Gender as a causal factor in conflict. London: DFID.

Bjorkhaug, I., & Boas, M. (2014). Men, women and gender-based violence in North Kivu, DRC. Oslo: Fafo. Boas, M., & Dunn, K. (2013). The Politics of Origin in Africa: Autochthony, Citizenship, Conflict. London:

Zed Books.

Bradley, S. (2018). Domestic and Family Violence in Post-Conflict Communities. Health Human Rights, 20 (2), 123-136.

Cockburn, C. (2010). Gender Relations as Causal in Militarization and War. International Feminist Journal of Politics, 12 (2), 139-157.

Cockburn, C. (2013). Against all odds: Sustaining feminist momentum in post-war Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Women’s Studies International Forum, 37 (1), 28-29. Cohn, C. (2012). Women and Wars. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Combaz, E. (2013). Gender dimensions of conflict drivers and stabilisation in eastern DRC. Birmingham: GSDRC, University of Birmingham.

Duncanson, C. (2015). Hegemonic masculinity and the possibility of change in gender relations. Men and Masculinities, 18 (2), 231-248.

El-Bushra, J. (2017). How Should We Explain the Recurrence of Violent Conflict, and What Might Gender Have to Do with It? In N. Aolain, N. Cahn, D. Haynes, & N. Valji, The Oxford Handbook of Gender and Conflict (pp. 48-63). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Galtung, J. (1990). Cultural VIolence. Journal of Peace Research, 27 (3), 291-305.

Haider, H. (2012). Topic Guide Supplement on Statebuilding and Peacebuilding in Situations of Conflict.

Birmingham: GSDRC.

Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. (2010). Now the World is Without ME: an Investigation of Sexual Violence in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Cambridge: HHI.

Hennessey, T., & Gerry, F. (2010). International Human Rights Law and Sexual Violence Against Men in Conflict Zones. Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 1 (6), 12-32.

Herbert, S. (2014). Links between gender-based violence and outbreaks of violent conflict. University of Birmingham: GSDRC.

Hudson, V., Caprioli, M., Ballif-Spanvil, B., McDermott, R., & Emmett, C. (2009). The security of women and the security of states. International Security, 33 (3), 7-45.

Hunt, S., & Posa, C. (2001). Women Waging Peace. Foreign Policy, 1 (124), 38-47.

International Crisis Group. (2009). Congo: Five Priorities for a Peacebuilding Strategy. International Crisis Group.

Krause, J., Krause, W., & Bränfors, P. (2018). Women’s Participation in peace negotiations and the durability of peace. International Interactions, 44 (6), 985-1016.

OMCT & SFVS. (2013). Report on violence against women in North and South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kinshasa: OMCT.

Pankhurst, D. (2008). Gendered Peace: Women’s struggles for post-war justice and reconciliation. New York: Routledge.

SIDA. (2015). Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence: Expressions and Strategies. SIDA.

Theidon, K. (2009). Reconstructing masculinities: The disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants in Colombia. Human Rights Quarterly, 31 (1), 1-34.

Wakabi, W. (2008). Sexual violence increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mass rape: time for remedies. The Lancet, 371 (9606), 16-26.

Wood, E. (2008). The social process of civil war: the wartime transformation of social networks. Annual Review of Political Science, 11, 539-561.

Wright, H. (2014). Masculinities, Conflict and Peacebuilding: Perspectives of men through a gender lens.

London: Saferworld.

Downloads

Published

2022-07-26

How to Cite

Brilliant Masara, W. (2022). The gendered dimension of violence and the role played by masculinities during the Second Congo War. SCIENCE MUNDI, 1(1), 119–125. https://doi.org/10.51867/10.51867/scimundi.1.1.2021.44