The paper presents the existence of a conflict between local ownership and
the introduction of gender equality in situations of post-conflict
peace-building under the control of international actors, mostly UN
peacekeeping forces. The authors present the essential meanings of the term
?local ownership? and understanding of its importance for the success of
peacekeeping missions and reforms of the security sector in post-conflict
societies in achieveing lasting peace. Local civil or military leaders can
actually consider that gender equality is not needed in their culture, and
that the participation of women in the security sector is not
socio-culturally acceptable. That is why various international actors may be
reluctant to advocate for gender equality, considering it as an imposition of
foreign cultural values that could potentially destabilize the security
sector reform process. The paper presents examples of Sahel region, South
Sudan, South Africa, East Timor and Sri Lanka, ilustrating that women and men
have different experiences of conflict, and that women in conflict and
post-conflict situations are especially vulnerable to sexual and other forms
of gender-based violence. Therefore, women?s active participation in
peace-building and ending violence and conflicts is essential for peace,
security and general cessation of further victimization of women. Supporting
the existing power relations characterized by structural gender inequality
and violence diminish the value of security sector reform. Moreover, the
process of peace-building is destabilized by maintaining permanent sources of
victimization of women, discrimination and easy outbreak of armed conflict.
This might result in the poorly reformed security sector, which only fits the
needs of male local dominant groups and protects their interests, leaving
majority of women still in a situation of high risk from various forms of
victimization.
Security Sector Reform: An Essential Challenge for Peace Building Processes in Africa