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A Window of Opportunity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Incorporating a Gender Perspective in the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Process

Author: E Schroeder
Date: 2004
Size: 52 pages (51 MB)

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Summary

What are the specific needs of women in post-conflict reconstruction? How can gender mainstreaming contribute to the success of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, repatriation and resettlement DDR(RR) programmes? This study written for the United Nations examines pioneering efforts to introduce gender mainstreaming into DDR(RR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It argues that paying equal attention to men and women in the theory, design and practical implementation of DDR(RR) is crucial to their success.

DDR(RR) usually focuses on male ex-combatants. Programmes largely ignore both the roles of women during conflict and their needs in the DDR phase. Men and women experience conflict in different ways, and women can be combatants as well as abducted or willing camp followers. The DDR(RR) programme in the DRC is a threshold case because it is the first attempt to systematically focus on gender through a dedicated Gender Unit.

The adoption of a national DDR plan and the move towards a nationally integrated military structure has opened a window for reconstruction in the DRC. However, resettlement and repatriation are major stumbling blocks for political stability. Different factions have different views on who has the right to live where. There is no systematic process to address repatriation of dependants, no donor coordination, and no plans for supporting abandoned fighters wives. In addition, the situation for women is compounded by the following:

• Disarmament centres are intimidating for women and pose high risks of violence and sexual assault. DDR(RR) staff are not trained in gender sensitivity.
• There has been a failure of the UN to provide targeted assistance and care to women in demobilisation, especially with respect to medical needs.
• During re-integration, women are rendered vulnerable to exploitation in return for benefits because they are left out of the selection criteria for DDR benefits, or where included in selection have to rely on men to confirm grade or status.

Gender mainstreaming is critically important for effective DDR(RR). It needs to be systematically institutionalised at policy and ground levels, with government, UN, and Non-governmental stakeholders included in planning. Adequate funding and strengthened gender advisory roles at both headquarter and field levels are required. Other policy recommendations are:

• Peacekeepers and agency staff need gender-sensitivity training.
• An exact definition of target groups during the disarmament and demobilisation phases is required. Designating women as "dependants" does not give sufficient understanding of their roles during conflict or needs afterwards.
• Data collection must be disaggregated by sex, with separate registration for women, and separate provision of identity documents.
• Demobilisation centres should provide specific services to meet women's physical security and medical needs, including: separate shelter, sanitation and transport provision, services for sexual health and for rape victims, and trauma counselling.
• Separate financial reintegration assistance for women is required, and there should be better access to training, tools and employment opportunities.

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Source: Schroeder, E., 2004, 'A Window of Opportunity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Incorporating a Gender Perspective in the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Process', Conflict and Development, no. 5, University of Bradford Peace Studies, Bradford
Author: University of Bradford, http://www.brad.ac.uk/external/