Steps towards gender sensitive conflict analysis

In our latest practice paper, we examine their experiences and challenges, and offer some ideas on how these organisations could put the principles of good gender-sensitive conflict analysis into practice:

Regional, national and local NGOs

• Integrate gender-sensitive conflict analysis into longer-term peacebuilding strategies: Incorporate regular participatory analysis into longer-term programming to sustain changes in gender norms.

• Document and systematise current approaches: Create more formal processes for each stage of the conflict analysis process, and document the findings methodically.

International NGOs

• Localise existing methodologies: Translate existing gender-sensitive conflict analysis toolkits and methods into local languages and, with local partners, adapt tools to specific contexts.

• Integrate existing methodologies into new programming models: Work with regional, national and local NGOs to support their ownership of the analysis and find new ways to incorporate the findings into programming approaches which meet their needs and objectives.

Donor governments and multilateral organisations

• Re-value analysis: Incorporate the regular conducting of gender sensitive conflict analysis, in a proportionate way to the needs of each project, as an accepted part of peacebuilding project proposals.

• Reconsider what is ‘credible’ analysis: Qualitative analysis that builds on the views of people living in conflict-affected communities is crucial. Base analysis on the perspectives of such communities, to avoid the  exclusion of gendered drivers of conflict and therefore the failure to impact the root causes of violence.

• Take risks on new programming approaches: Fund pilot projects to trial new programming approaches to address unequal or exclusionary gender norms that drive conflict.

All those involved in peacebuilding:

• Challenge ‘quick win’ approaches: Find ways to collectively resist unrealistic expectations that peacebuilding activities addressing structural issues, including gender norms, should demonstrate measurable impact within short timeframes.

• Support internal reflection: Provide resources for structured reflection on organisations’ and individuals’ own gendered power and privilege.

• Change organisational incentives: Create formal accountability mechanisms to ensure that those doing conflict analysis conduct it in a gender-sensitive way

To find out more, download our new practice paper ‘Inclusion in practice: Examining gender-sensitive conflict analysis'.