Rethinking Women, Peace and Security in Southern Africa: Patriarchy, Policies, and Perspectives

Authors

• Kgomotso Komane, University of Pretoria and Centre for Mediation in AfricaFollow

Abstract

Southern Africa is a relatively peaceful region, however, it has witnessed a range of diverse, multiple and ongoing conflicts that have prompted various peace interventions from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), neighbouring countries and international actors. An astounding pattern is revealed when observing the involvements of all the actors in the peace interventions. What is revealed is that, till present day, women remain marginalised in peace processes despite existing structures and policies that reaffirm their rightful participation in these processes. Rethinking women’s role in peace and security is necessary because existing approaches to peace are shaped by patriarchal norms. In so doing, in times of peace and conflict, women’s portrayal is that of ‘victim/survivor’ while men are mediators and decision-maker resolving conflict. Thus, this paper uses a decolonial feminist lens to engage with women, peace, and security with a particular focus on Track I mediation in southern Africa. This is in efforts to enhance the literature on the underreported experiences of women’s contribution to peace in southern Africa and Africa broadly.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Komane, Kgomotso (2026) "Rethinking Women, Peace and Security in Southern Africa: Patriarchy, Policies, and Perspectives," The Journal of Social Encounters: Vol. 10: Iss. 2, 95-115.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.69755/2995-2212.1434
Available at: https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/social_encounters/vol10/iss2/8