THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN ENDING THE CONFLICT IN SIERRA LEONE

The Role Of Women In Ending The Conflict in Sierra Leone



DECLARATION

Sir/Madam,

I hereby declare that this dissertation is my own original work

Signature

Mrs Florence N. Bangalie

September 30 2010

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge with gratitude for the generosity and support of …………………….. in this undertaking.

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the role of women in conflict management, using Sierra Leone as a case study. It argues that despite the traditional challenges women faced they were able to contribute significantly to the conclusion of the 11-year civil war in Sierra Leone. Chapter One, will deal with the introductory preliminaries and will also present a brief history of Sierra Leone and the origins of its civil war; the aims and objectives of the study; the justification of the research; a statement of the problem; the significance of the study; the scope and limitations of the study; and the contribution of women in peacekeeping and peace-building efforts. The second chapter will review the relevant literature on the topic in question and the researcher will either commend or critique the views of some writers on the subject. Chapter three will examine the role of women in the various intervention phases by international, regional and other foreign forces in conflict in Sierra Leone. It will argue that despite the neglect of women in decisions leading to the intervention, the various roles played by women and women's groups proved decisive in the course of the conflict. The final chapter, Chapter Four, entails the summary of the findings, conclusion and recommendations made by the researcher. This chapter is predominantly the views of the researcher.

ABBREVIATIONS

APC=All People's Congress Party

CEDAW=Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

CEDSA=Centre for Development & Security Analysis

CIVPOL=Female Peacekeepers

ECOMOG=Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group

ECOWAS=Economic Committee of West African States

FAS=Femmes Africa Solidarity

ICMS=International Conflict Management System

ICRC=International Committee of the Red Cross

IRCSL=Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone

MARWOPNET=Mano River Women's Peace Network- Sierra Leone

NEP=Network for Peace-building - Sierra Leone

ONS=Office of National Security

RUF=Revolution United Front

SLAUW=Sierra Leone Association of University Women

SLPP= Sierra Leone People's Party

SLWF=Sierra Leone Women's Forum

TRC=Truth and Reconciliation Commission

UN=United Nations

UNAMSIL=United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone

UNDP=United Nations Development Programmes

UNHCR= United High Commission for refugees

UNIFEM= United Nations Development Fund for Women

UNOMSIL=United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone

WANEP=West African Network for Peace-building - Sierra Leone

WFD= Westminster Foundation For Democracy

WILPF-SL=Women's International League for Peace and Freedom- Sierra Leone

WOMEN=Women Organised for a Morally Enlightened Nation

YWCA=Young Women's Christian Association

SiLNAP=Sierra Leone National Action Plan on the full implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) & 1820 (2008)

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTiii

ABSTRACTiv

ABBREVIATIONSv

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION1

Aim Of The Research1

Purpose of the Research2

Background of the research3

Map Of Sierra Leone5

A Brief History Of The Rebel War—1991-20026

Justification Of The Research10

Statement Of The Problem10

Significance of the Study14

Scope And Limitations Of The Study14

CHAPTER TWO: METHODOLOGY16

Research Design16

Chapter Conclusion17

CHAPTER THREE: LITERATURE REVIEW19

The role of women played in managing the conflict during the war19

The ...