1.
Essay question: From a feminist perspective, why and how does armed conflict
affect men and women differently?
2. Introduction: Through a feminist lens[ZGI1] , it is significantly evident
that armed conflict foments and triggers distinct effects on men and women –
particularly due to existing patriarchal gender roles that intensify
historically entrenched gender inequalities.[ZGI2] In the case of men, they are typically victim to
higher risks of lethal injury and mortality as they primarily occupy direct
combat roles during armed conflicts,
whilst women are predominately less involved in frontline combat and experience
increased threats of sexual violence, displacement, reduced access to
reproductive care, gender-based harassment as well as familial death inter alia.[ZGI3] In context, aArmed conflicts provide elevated
possibilities of sexual violence perpetuated by armed forces which can leading to discrimination, societal
stigma, and mental health conditions for women and men?. Conflicts
disproportionately intensify the onus on women to maintain their caregiving
responsibilities such as providing sufficient care for dependants and at times
extended families, thus limiting their sense of autonomy and independent free will. Furthermore,
gender disparities are prolonged in many tense post conflict environments as
women may be barred from reconstruction and decision-making efforts further
sustaining a cycle of unequal gender-based power relations by marginalising female
agency in conflict ridden regions.[ZGI4] (186 words)
3. Outline: [100-150 words]
4. The prevalence of sexual violence often orchestrated by rival armed
actors can inflict long-lasting negative consequences outcomes as well asin addition to
immediate harm. Such harm can include societal gender-based stigma,
psychological trauma and discrimination against women, particularly in conflict
ridden regions[ZGI5]
5. In addition to heightened vulnerability during armed conflict women also
experience disproportionate ramifications in terms of their caregiving
responsibilities due to familial death, limiting their agency and autonomy [ZGI6]
6. Through a feminist
perspective [ZGI7] it can be analyzed that deeply
entrenched patriarchal gender roles lead to men predominately engaging in direct
frontline combat roles, leading to higher risks of lethal injury and mortality
rates among men
7. Women are systematically excluded in reconstruction efforts and decision makingdecision-making
processes in post-conflict settings;
perpetuating a cycle of unequal gender-based power relations[ZGI8]
a.
8.
Annotated
bibliography:
9.
M[ZGI9] arsh,
M. and Ward,
J. (2014) Sexual violence against
women and girls in war and its aftermath: Realities, responses, and required
resources, Academia.edu. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/4466718/Sexual_Violence_Against_Women_and_Girls_in_War_and_Its_Aftermath_Realities_Responses_and_Required_Resources
(Accessed: 01 April 2024). [ZGI10]
10.
Annotation: This source will
contribute to the basis of the first argument discussing sexual violence being
disproportionately used against women as a weapon of war due to deeply
entrenched gender inequalities. This source delves into the challenges women
face during armed conflict to seek support when dealing with the impacts of
sexual violence particularly in the aftermath of war [ZGI11]
11. Fábián, K.
(2012) ‘women and war: Power and protection in the 21st century,’ edited by Kathleen Kuehnast,
Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, and Helga Hernes’, Journal of Women, Politics
& Policy, 33(3): , pp. 283–286,.
doi:10.1080/1554477x.2012.696522. (Accessed: 28 March 2024).[ZGI12]
12.
Annotation: This source
provides commentary and summarises the key themes and ideas of the book “Women and War: Power and
Protection in the 21st Century,” edited by Kathleen Kuehnast, Chantal de
Jonge Oudraat, and Helga Hernes. The source discusses the paramountcy of
feminism and how it relates to addressing gender inequalities and dynamics
during armed conflict[ZGI13]
13. Aggestam, K.
and Eitrem Holmgren, L.
(2022) ‘The gender-resilience nexus in Peacebuilding: The quest for sustainable
peace’, Journal of International Relations and Development, 25(4): , pp. 880–901.
doi:10.1057/s41268-022-00269-9. (Accessed: 28 March 2024).
14. Annotation:
This source contributes to the final topic sentence regarding the participation
of women in post conflict reconstruction efforts and sustainable peace
development plans, examining how pre-existing gender inequalities impact the
ability of individuals and communities to cope/recover from conflict related
challenges
[ZGI14]
15. Plümper, T.
and Neumayer, E. (2006) ‘The unequal burden of war: The effect of armed
conflict on the gender gap in life expectancy’, International Organization,
60(03). doi:10.1017/s0020818306060231. (Accessed: 29 March 2024).[ZGI15]
16. Annotation:
This source examines the gender gap in life expectancy during war and
highlights gender disparities through analysing data [ZGI16] – this source contributes to the third
argument regarding patriarchal gender roles and men predominately engaging in
combat in comparison to women during times of conflict and war[ZGI17]
17. Micheletti,
A.J., Ruxton, G.D. and Gardner, A. (2018) ‘Why war is a man’s game’, Proceedings
of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285(1884), p. 20180975.
doi:10.1098/rspb.2018.0975. (Accessed: 29 March 2024).[ZGI18]
19. MÉGRET, F.
(no date) The laws of war and the structure of masculine power.
Available at: https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/3152488/Megret-unpaginated.pdf
(Accessed: 01 April 2024). [ZGI20]
20. Annotation:
21. [1] J. Gardam, “Women and the
Law of Armed Conflict: Why the Silence?,” International and Comparative
Law Quarterly, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 55–80, 1997.
doi:10.1017/S0020589300060115 (Accessed: 27 March 2024).
22. Plümper, T.
and Neumayer, E. (2006a) ‘The unequal burden of war: The effect of armed
conflict on the gender gap in life expectancy’, International Organization,
60(03). doi:10.1017/s0020818306060231. (Accessed 29 March 2024)