Exploring Women's Experiences in Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration

128 Pages·2016·0.84 MB·English

by  Laurén Ettinger

ONE MAN, ONE GUN, NO MORE: EXPLORING WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES IN
DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION, AND REINTEGRATION
by

Laurén Ettinger
A Thesis
Submitted to the
Graduate Faculty
of
George Mason University
in Partial Fulfillment of
The Requirements for the Degree
of
Master of Science
Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Committee:

Chair of Committee

Graduate Program Director

Dean, School for Conflict Analysis and
Resolution

Date: Fall Semester 2016
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
One Man, One Gun, No More: Exploring Women’s Experiences in Disarmament,
Demobilization, and Reintegration
A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science at George Mason University
by
Laurén Ettinger
Bachelor of Arts
Appalachian State University, 2012
Director: Susan Hirsch, Professor
Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Fall Semester 2016
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
Copyright 2016 Lauren Ettinger
All Rights Reserved

ii
DEDICATION
To continuing to improve our field and bringing about a more just and peaceful world.
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the people whose support was essential to this piece of work. First,
my family for always being encouraging even when I felt frustrated and hopelessly lost in
this process. Next, my wonderful thesis chair, Dr. Susan Hirsch, without whose constant
patience and guidance none of this would have been possible. My committee members
Dr. Patricia Maulden and Dr. Sandy Cheldelin for providing helpful feedback and
inspiration. Lastly, the tolerance my lovely friends have shown me during this time while
I worked tirelessly to finish writing.

iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
List of Tables ................................................................................................................... vii
List of Figures ................................................................................................................. viii
List of Abbreviations and/or Symbols ........................................................................... ix
Abstract ............................................................................................................................. xi
Chapter One: Introduction .............................................................................................. 1
Summary of Chapters ............................................................................................................... 4
Chapter Two: Literature Review .................................................................................... 7
Women in War ........................................................................................................................... 7
Gender and International Policy ............................................................................................ 11
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) ................................................... 14
DDR and Gender ..................................................................................................................... 19
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 26
Chapter Three: Methodology ........................................................................................ 28
Research Question ................................................................................................................... 29
Research Design ....................................................................................................................... 30
Chapter Four: The Case Study of Sierra Leone .......................................................... 32
Background and the Nature of Women’s Lives Before War ............................................... 32
Civil War .................................................................................................................................. 35
Peace Agreements .................................................................................................................... 38
Sierra Leone DDR ................................................................................................................... 44
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 50
Chapter Five: Factor One: Inclusion and Eligibility .................................................. 51
Inclusion ................................................................................................................................... 52
Eligibility .................................................................................................................................. 59
Hindrances to Participation: Shame and Stigma ................................................................. 65
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 67
Chapter Six: Factor Two: Women’s Needs During Cantonment ............................. 69
Safety and Security .................................................................................................................. 70
Women’s Health ...................................................................................................................... 75
Childcare Provisions................................................................................................................ 79
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 82
Chapter Seven: Factor Three: Reintegration Support............................................... 83
Economic Security and Ability to Contribute to Society ..................................................... 85
Support Network ..................................................................................................................... 93
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 98
Chapter Eight: Conclusion........................................................................................... 100
v
Appendix ........................................................................................................................ 106
References ...................................................................................................................... 108

vi
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 1: The five degrees of gender mainstreaming ......................................................... 44

vii
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1 DDR programs around the world ........................................................................18
Figure 2 Skills developed by women members of armed opposition groups in Africa .....88

viii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND/OR SYMBOLS
Agency for Co-Operation and Research in Development .......................................ACORD
Armed Forces Ruling Council .................................................................................... AFRC
All People’s Congress .................................................................................................... APC
Children associated with fighting forces......................................................................CAFF
Children associated with the war ................................................................................. CAW
Civil Defense Forces ...................................................................................................... CDF
Comprehensive Peace Agreement ................................................................................. CPA
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women .. CEDAW
Department for International Development ................................................................. DFID
Disarmament and Demobilization ................................................................................... DD
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration........................................................ DDR
Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration ............................ DDRR
Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group ..................... ECOMOG
Economic Community of West African States ..................................................... ECOWAS
Eritrean People’s Liberation Front............................................................................... EPLF
Females Associated with Armed Forces and Groups .............................................. FAAFG
Forces Armada de El Salvador (Military Force of El Salvador) ................................. FAES
Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia ........................................................ FARC
Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front .............................................................. FMLN
Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity ............................................................... URNG
Interim Care Center......................................................................................................... ICC
Interim Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Program .........................IDDRP
Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Standards ...................IDDRS
International Humanitarian Law ..................................................................................... IHL
International Monetary Fund ......................................................................................... IMF
Multi-Country Demobilization and Reintegration Program ...................................... MDRP
National Committee for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration ...........NCDDR
National Patriotic Force of Liberia .............................................................................. NPFL
Non-Governmental Organization.................................................................................. NGO
Office of the Gender Advisor ....................................................................................... OGA
Sexually Transmitted Disease ........................................................................................ STD
Sierra Leone Army ......................................................................................................... SLA
Sierra Leone Peoples Party .......................................................................................... SLPP
Small arms and light weapons ................................................................................... SALW
Revolutionary United Front ........................................................................................... RUF
United Nations ................................................................................................................. UN
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund .................................... UNICEF
United Nations Development Fund for Women .................................................... UNIFEM
United Nations Development Program ....................................................................... UNDP
United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs ...................................................... UNODA
ix