Read on Twitter
In our most recent research, @marieeberry + I argue that reformist approaches focused on adding excluded groups into existing institutions can reinforce the same patriarchal, capitalist + militarist logics of hierarchy + exclusion that denied those groups access in the 1st place
In promoting women’s inclusion in peace processes /security sector reform, the WPS agenda often overlooks mutually reinforcing structures of power that lock women from certain (ethnic, political, class) backgrounds out of power + facilitate women’s continued gendered oppression.
@marieeberry + I write here about some of the reactions we’ve had to this work, which is often portrayed as a critique of gender quotas and women’s inclusion. To be clear, we do not oppose efforts to bolster women’s inclusion in politics or peace architecture.
But we do think it matters which women are targeted for inclusion and which women are systematically excluded. In contexts of postwar violence especially, reproducing conflict era fissures under the guise of gender emancipation does little to advance the interests of peace.
And no feminist can be comfortable w/ systems of gender equality that are only made possible on the backs of other women’s contd marginalization + identity based oppression. Thanks to @naazneenbarma @DevorahManekin for helping us think thru this blog + to our @wrawproject team!
