Over the four day exercise, we worked with La Fondation Végas Jeunes pour le Développement (FVJD) and Genre Paix et Développement (GEPAD), as well as several journalists, to exchange knowledge on existing conceptualisations of gender within the Central African Republic (CAR). We explored prevailing gender norms in Bangui and the sub-prefecture of Sibut - and how these determine the roles of women and men within their families, communities and public life. We further explored how these norms affect how women and men are involved in conflict and peace processes.
This workshop followed a ‘learning by doing’ approach, whereby the participants were guided through a typical gender-sensitive conflict analysis (GSCA) process to gain an understanding of what the methodology aims to achieve, and through what steps. Additional insight was shared on how to practically run a GSCA workshop. In the coming weeks, partner organisations FVJD and GEPAD will adapt this knowledge, and use of the methodology, to conduct their own GSCA workshops with youth in Bangui and Sibut. The lessons learned from these workshops will be used to design project activities which aim to change community perceptions about the roles of women and men in conflict and peacebuilding, particularly among youth.
Gender norms and stereotypes in CAR
Years of instability, weak governance and protracted conflict have led to CAR being one of the least developed countries in the world. Gender dynamics have been central to armed groups’ recruitment, violence and peace in CAR, with gender norms deeply ingrained across the country. During the workshop participants shared that key conflict drivers in the country - including transhumance and non-respect of transhumance laws, injustice, and hate speech - are deeply gendered in cause and effect. Some conservative traditional leaders, for example, are rejecting changing roles for women and their increased participation in public life in Bangui. This dynamic, coming from traditional decision-makers, was noted to be reinforcing some gender stereotypes that contribute to harmful rhetoric through increased hate speech off and online (over social media), and societal division along gender lines.
“Overcoming gender stereotypes to move forward together is a challenge - but it is also an emergency, and must be done to achieve peace and greater development.” - Workshop participant
The project: ‘Breaking gender stereotypes to succeed together’
This project’s overarching goal is to see women and youth meaningfully participating in - and driving - local and national peacebuilding efforts. It aims to achieve this through efforts to transform gender stereotypes, building on extensive research that stresses the relationship between women and youth’s meaningful participation in peacebuilding and public life, and the effectiveness and durability of peace processes.
Conciliation Resources, and our partners FVJD and GEPAD, along with Search for Common Ground, will aim to ensure that young women and men have increased skills, confidence and resources to design and deliver gender-sensitive peacebuilding initiatives, and to champion the needs of conflict-affected communities with political decision-makers. We will work with power-holders both nationally and within Sibut and Bangui to ensure women and youth have the opportunity to share these needs and their views on how to address age- and gender- discriminatory norms, and increase their role in peacebuilding.
The project is funded by the French High Commission in Bangui through their programme ‘Fonds Equipe France’ led by the French Embassy.
