Beyond Wars and Conflicts: A Gendered Perspective of the State of Peace in Africa

Abstract

Many African countries have experienced wars and conflicts. Thus, for many Africans, their understanding of peace is limited to the absence of conflict and wars. Whilst there is no denial that wars and conflicts violate peace, many authors and well-known personalities have over the years affirmed that peace is much more than the absence of war and that it starts with understanding, fairness, acceptance, and tolerance between people. This is not the case however in Africa, as the majority of its women are subjected to unequal, unjust, and discriminatory treatment. Drawing from this, this chapter argues that there can be no real peace if African women are treated as such. This chapter aims to draw attention to the fact that beyond the ending of wars and conflicts in Africa, true peace can never be achieved until Africa’s women are empowered, emancipated, and given equal rights and opportunities with men. Additionally, it provides recommendations on the way forward, motivates for a shift of thinking, and provides a gendered perspective of peace in Africa.