Triumph over tragedy: International pressure, women's movements, and empowerment in post-conflict states

Vagisha I Gunasekara, Purdue University

Abstract

In spite of the devastating effects of civil wars on women's human rights, an emerging body of literature links civil wars to improved outcomes in a few specific areas of women's empowerment, such as political representation and employment. But why do some post-conflict states show improvements in women's empowerment while others do not? Using a quantitative analysis and a qualitative analysis, this study shows that the interaction between international actors and domestic women's movements accounts for variation in women's empowerment in post-conflict states. Using an original dataset of 45 low-income and middle-low-income countries, this study shows states that experience civil war are distinctive in their changes in women's empowerment compared to countries that have not experienced internal armed conflict. The quantitative analysis also finds that the interaction between foreign direct assistance and the presence of a domestic women's movement, and factors such as social and cultural institutions have a significant and positive impact on women's empowerment. The qualitative analysis, based on four post-conflict cases—Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, and Afghanistan—also shows that the interaction between international actors and strong and autonomous women's movements accounts for variation in women's empowerment. This study suggests that efforts to advance women's empowerment need to be cognizant of the effects of these international and domestic factors.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Weldon, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Political science|Public policy|Gender studies

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