War, Women and Post-Conflict Empowerment: Lessons from Sierra Leone (Politics and Development in Contemporary Africa)

"Since the 1991-2002 civil conflict ended in Sierra Leone, the country has failed to translate the accomplishments of women's involvement in bringing the war to an end into meaningful political empowerment. This is in marked contrast to other post-conflict countries, which have increased the political participation of women in elected and appointed office, increased the representation of women in leadership positions, and enacted constitutional reforms promoting women's rights. Written by Sierra Leonean and Africanist scholars and experts from a broad range of disciplines, this unique volume analyses the historical and contextual factors influencing women's political, economic and social development in the country. In drawing on a diverse array of case studies - from health to education, refugees to international donors - the contradictions, successes and challenges of women's lives in a post-conflict environment are revealed, making this an essential book for anyone involved in women and development."-- Provided by publisher. Cover Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Contents Contributors Map of Sierra Leone Acknowledgements Foreword Filomina Chioma Steady Thematic Organization Part One Conceptual Frameworks 1 Understanding the Politics of Women and Gender Equality in Sierra Leone: Opportunities and Possibilities Sierra Leone Background History Hegemonic Feminist Standpoints and “Women’s Empowerment” Prevalence of Male Hegemony and Patriarchal Institutions Fragmentations and Intersecting Identities in the Women’s Movement Charting a new way? Contributors and the Challengeto Women’s Activism in Sierra Leone Conclusion 2 Transformative Narratives: The EmpatheticI magination, Empowerment, and Women in Two Post-war Sierra Leonean Novels Background The Neurology of Narrative and Empowerment Empowering through a Usable Past: Healing Misery in Hunter’s Redemption Song Empowering the Self: Confronting Misery and Building Agency in Nadia Maddy’s The Palm Oil Stain Conclusion: From Story to Storytelling in Post-war Rebuilding Programs Part Two Women in Politics 3 Zainab Hawa Bangura’s Early Career asan Activist in Sierra Leone, 1994–2005 Family Background Women Organized for a Morally Enlightened Nation (WOMEN), 1994–1995 The Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), 1996–2002 The 2002 Presidential Campaign New Directions and Ongoing Issues: The National Accountability Group (SL) and International Consultancy Epilogue 4 “Bastards” in Politics: Violence Against “Political” Women in Sierra Leone’s Post-war Politics Introduction Women’s Political Representation in Post-war Sierra Leone The Conceptual Discussion: Bastardy, Elections, Electoral Violence, and Violence Against Women in Elections Electoral Violence in Sierra Leone Electoral Violence Against Political Women in Sierra Leone Concluding Remarks and Recommendations 5 Women Chiefs, Women’s Empowerment, and a Feminist Agenda in Contemporary Sierra Leone Introduction Background Contextualizing Women Chiefs Methodology Women Chiefs of the South and East during the War Women Chiefs and Political Activism Women Traditional Chiefs in the North Women Chiefs and Economic Empowerment Initiatives for Women Conclusion: Women Chiefs, African Feminismand a Feminist Agenda Part Three Issues in Women’s Empowerment: Legal, Social, and Economic 6 Women and Law Reform in Post-war Sierra Leone Introduction The 1991–2002 Civil War Historicizing Women’s Unequal Status in Society Gender Equality at the Macro- and Micro-Levels The Legislative Process Constitutional Review Process Conclusion 7 Barriers to Girls’ Education in Rural Sierra Leone: Findings from Participatory Research Context: Post-war Education Reform Initiatives Framings of the Importance of Girls’ Education, Post War Conventional Wisdom about Girls and Education in Sierra Leone Methodology: Participatory Action Research Findings: Voices from Kambia District Summary of Findings Policy Recommendations Conclusions 8 Where Does She Enter? (Re) Defining the Role of Traditional Birth Attendants in Sierra Leone Background Social Determinants of Health Framework to Address Maternal Health Outcomes Current Policy, Protocol, and Recommendations Conclusion 9 Gender-Based Violence Post-war to Post-Ebola:“ One Step Forward, Three Steps Back” Introduction Gender-Based Violence during the War TRC Recommendations on Gender “One Step Forward”: 2007 Gender Bills “Three Steps Back”: The Ebola Crisis 2014–2015 Conclusion Part Four Mobilizing to Advance Women’s Empowerment: Internal and External Actors 10 UNHCR’s Gender Policy for Refugees and Returnees in Sierra Leone: Health, Well-Being and Political Agency Introduction Women Refugees and IDPs in Sierra Leone: Agency in Flight and Exile UNHCR, Gender Policy, and Reintegration UNHCR’s Reintegration Program: The Neglect of Health Care UNHCR Switches Policy: Women’s Centers and Political Agency Political Agency and the Challenges of Ebola 11 From Local Discussion Groups to Facebook,Twitter, and WhatsApp: Sierra Leone Women Mobilizing for Women’s Rights in Sierra Leone (An Activist’s Approach) Introduction Historical Perspective on Women’s Mobilization and Action since the Civil Conflict Women in Action after the War Strategizing and Initiating Action in Response to the Ebola Outbreak in Sierra Leone Actions Initiated by Women Online Fundraising in Support of Ending Ebola Sierra Leone Women Mobilizing Internationally—An Advocacy Strategy for the UN Ebola Debate West African Women’s Effort to Influence the UN Debate on Ebola Conclusion 12 The Politics of Religion and Women’s Activism: Women’s “Choices” in the Abortion Bill and Constitutional Review Debates Methodology Sexual and Reproductive Health When “Us” becomes “Them” What Went Wrong? What’s in a Name?—Safe Abortion Bill vs Sexual Reproductive Health Bill Conclusion 13 Sierra Leonean Women Mobilizing for Change: Revising the Sexual Offenses [Amendment] Act of 2019 Introduction Methodology Women’s Participation and Policy Change: What is the Relationship? Conceptualizing the Women’s Movement in Sierra Leone Addressing Sexual Gender Based Violence in Sierra Leone Th e Politics of Change: Revising the Sexual Offences [Amendment] Act, 2019 Limitations of the Women’s Movement Conclusion: SGBV and Women’s Movements in Sierra Leone—Implications for Future Mobilization References Index 1. Introduction -- Part 1: Women in Politics -- 2. More Women, Better Politics: Assessing the 50/50 Agenda in Sierra Leone -- 3. The Politics of Religion and Women's Activism: Women's 'Choices' in the Abortion Bill and Constitutional Review Debates -- 4. Bastards in Politics?: Gender Violence and Intimidation in Sierra Leone's Post-War Politics -- 5. Women Chiefs and Post-War Reconstruction in Sierra Leone -- 6. Zainab Hawa Bangura and Political Reform in Sierra Leone: 1994-2005 -- Part 2: Issues in Women's Empowerment: Legal, Social, and Economic -- 7. Women and Law Reform in Post-War Sierra Leone -- 8. Barriers to Girls Education in Rural Sierra Leone: Results of Participatory Research -- 9. Gender Based Violence in the Age of Ebola -- 10. Locating the Informal in the Formal? Traditional Birth Attendants and the Free Health Care Initiative in Post-War Sierra Leone -- Part 3: Mobilizing to Advance Women's Empowerment: Internal and External Actors -- 11. From Local Discussion Groups to Facebook, Twitter, and Whatsapp: Sierra Leone Women Mobilizing for Women's Rights in Sierra Leone -- 12. Strategies of Engagement for Policy Reform on Women's Political Empowerment in Post-War Sierra Leone: Analysis of the Fifty-Fifty Group -- 13. Transformative Narratives: The Empathetic Imagination, Empowerment, and Women in Post-War Sierra Leone -- 14. UNHCR's Gender Policy for Refugees and Returnees in Sierra Leone: Enhancing Well-Being or Promoting Political Agency? -- 15. Conclusions From 1991 -2002, Sierra Leone endured a protracted and brutal civil conflict. The post-war period has seen a slow and painful process of rebuilding. However, while there have been positive advancements in gender and development - such as the adoption of three Gender Acts protecting the human rights of women - Sierra Leone has singularly failed to translate the accomplishments of women's involvement in bringing the war to an end into meaningful political empowerment. This is in marked contrast to other post-conflict countries, which have increased the political participation of women in elected and appointed office, increased the representation of women in leadership positions, and enacted constitutional reforms promoting women's rights. Written by Sierra Leonean and Africanist scholars/experts from a broad range of disciplines, this unique volume analyses the historical and contextual factors influencing women's political, economic and social development in the country. In drawing on a diverse array of case studies - from health to education, refugees to international donors - the contradictions, successes and challenges of women's lives in a post-conflict environment are revealed, making this an essential book for anyone involved in women and development