The Role of Women in Peacekeeping Operations in Africa: a Case of the Darfur Conflict, 2008-2016

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the role and challenges of women in peacekeeping operations in reference to the case of Darfur 2008-2016. Three specific objectives guided the study; to establish the role played by both states and non-state actors in combat missions and specifically in peacekeeping operations in Africa; to examine the role played by women in peace keeping operations and to identify the challenges encountered by women in peace keeping operations in the Darfur Conflict. The study employed a descriptive research design approach. The researcher used primary and secondary data as the main source of the information. Primary data was obtained from questionnaire obtained from former officials who had previously served in UNAMID in Darfur. Secondary data was obtained through in-depth study of the findings of previous scholars who have ventured in this topic of women and peacekeeping operations especially in Darfur. The target population comprised of 20 former officials from UNAMID. In addition, a documentary analysis on reviewed documents on women peacekeepers in the Darfur conflict especially information on those that served in the military and police roles in UN peacekeeping missions in this conflict was targeted. The data collected on the findings of other scholars was used as the foundations of the findings of this study. The study made inferences from these findings though tabulating and discussions based on the three objectives of this study. The findings were that state actors like the IGAD, EAC, United Nations and African Union have been involved in peacekeeping mission in Darfur. Similarly, non-state actors like for example intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), statesmen and community and national leaders have also been involved. State and non-state actors play various roles in Darfur conflict. State actors such as the United Nations, African Union, European Union, East African Community, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), national and international humanitarian agencies have always been in the forefront arbitrating on the Darfur conflicts in an effort at peace-building. On the other hand, non-state actors like the Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and religious bodies played a key role in arbitrating and managing the Darfur conflict. The study established that women peacekeepers play important roles in peacekeeping in Darfur. They are key in identifying of early warning signs of conflicts and conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace support operations, peace processes like peace talks, mediation and signing of peace treaties and post-conflict processes like peace building activities. The study established that numerous challenges were encountered by women peacekeepers in their peacekeeping role in the Darfur conflict. Women peacekeepers suffer from suspicion and mistrust from the local community. The local women are suspicious of the women peacekeepers since the contingents from South Africa, Burundi and Rwanda mostly comprise of dark-skinned and predominantly Christian soldiers while the Darfuri women are Arabs. The locals have mistrust on women peace keepers based on the perception of religion, language and colour. Despite the challenges faced by women peacekeepers, their inclusion in peacekeeping operations is vital and cannot be overlooked. Being part of the world’s population, women cannot be isolated and therefore should form part of the work force. It is therefore recommended that the UN should continue calling for the increase of women peacekeepers in order to fully integrate a gender perspective in its operations. Equally, specific posts must be set aside for women in order to increase the number. Further, to ensure that women occupy senior posts within a mission, these posts must be identified and advertised for only qualified women to apply. The UN member states should also encourage women empowerment and deployment in peacekeeping missions. Military and police for all member states should be encouraged to recruit women in good numbers, train and deploy them whenever required in peacekeeping missions.