Women and Nation-building

by Benard, Cheryl; Jones, Seth G.; Oliker, Olga; Thurston, Cathryn Quantic; Stearns, Brooke K.

• ISBN13: 9780833043115
• ISBN10: 0833043110
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-03-04
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

Does women's participation in nation-building make a difference to the post-conflict trajectories of very volatile societies? Women and Nation-Building presents compelling findings for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars concerned with both the academic and pragmatic implementation of an engendered approach to nation-building. The book concludes that the steps necessary to strengthen nation-building activities include an emphasis on human security, establishing governance based on the principles of equity and the rule of law, and women's early economic inclusion in reconstruction activities. Societies on a path toward equity and the rule of law are more peaceful and more prosperous, and the status of women is not merely a litmus test but an active agent in bringing about such an outcome.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. iii
Figures	p. ix
Tables	p. xi
Summary	p. xiii
Acknowledgments	p. xv
Acronyms and Abbreviations	p. xvii
Introduction	p. 1
Overview of Nation-Building	p. 3
Women and Nation-Building	p. 7
Women and Nation-Building: The Lessons of Afghanistan	p. 10
The Security Dimension and Women	p. 15
The Historical Context	p. 17
The Impact of Security on Women	p. 19
The Social and Economic Front	p. 20
Insurgent Attacks	p. 20
Crime	p. 23
Domestic Violence	p. 24
The Justice System	p. 25
The Impact of Women on Security	p. 27
Civil Affairs	p. 28
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration	p. 29
Security Forces	p. 30
Recommendations	p. 33
Planning and Implementing Programs for Women's Health and Education: Building Indicators of Success	p. 37
The Current Outlook for Women in Afghanistan	p. 37
Making the Case for Improved Data Collection on Women in Postwar Reconstruction	p. 40
Recent Improvements in Measuring Gains for Women and Girls in Education and Health	p. 43
Education Statistics	p. 44
Developing a Measurement Plan for Health and Education in Post-Conflict Reconstruction: The Millenium Development Goals	p. 47
Health Statistics	p. 52
Collecting Data on Health and Education Indicators for Women and Children in Conflict	p. 55
Governance and Women	p. 59
Historical Context: Patterns of Reform in Afghanistan	p. 61
Second-Track Governance: Three Lessons from Post-Conflict Afghanistan	p. 66
Elections	p. 66
The Constitution	p. 68
Legal Rights	p. 73
Recommendations	p. 78
Economic Participation and Women	p. 81
Introduction	p. 81
Women and Afghanistan's Economy Before the War	p. 82
Women and Afghanistan's Economy During the War and Under the Taliban	p. 85
Women and Afghanistan's Economy Today	p. 87
Assistance and Impact	p. 94
A Case Study: The National Solidarity Program	p. 107
Overview of the Program	p. 107
Gender Mainstreaming	p. 109
The Role of Women in the NSP	p. 111
Women as NSP Implementers	p. 111
Women as Participants	p. 115
Women as Beneficiaries	p. 124
Conclusion	p. 126
Recommendations	p. 129
Introduction	p. 129
Have a Goal-Oriented Focus	p. 129
Build Up Reliance on Civil Society	p. 130
Improve Data Collection	p. 133
Resolve Contradictions	p. 135
Appendix
Education and Health Indicators for Women and Girls	p. 139
Vital Governance Milestones for Afghan Women	p. 145
National Solidarity Program Case-Study Survey	p. 165
Bibliography	p. 169
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