Gendered Conflict
Anuradha Chenoy
VICTIMS, PERPETRATORS OR ACTORS? GENDER, ARMED CONFLICT AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE by Caroline O.N. Moser South Asia by Kali for Women, New Delhi, 2004, 243 pp., 300.00
January 2004, volume 28, No 1

Despite the volumes written on wars and conflicts there has been a vacuum in research that examines the gender aspects of political violence. Most traditional analysis of conflicts had a subliminal masculinity inherent in the texts. This is now being rectified with a surge of new work that inquires into the gender aspects of political violence and armed conflict. Current research looks at the multiple roles that women have in conflict situations from victims, supporters, caregivers, and peacemakers to re-builders in conflict and post-conflict situations. Moser and Clark’s edited volume is a collection of research around these themes, with additional questions that are raised.The introduction sets a tone for the arguments of this collection by stating that while political violence is perceived as male domain, fought and negotiated by men, yet conflict and violence is gendered. Women are perceived to be victims even when they have multiple roles and men are perceived as heroes even when they were victims. There is a clear distinction in perceptions as women’s bodies continue to determine their roles.

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