Gender Equality, Civil Society, and Levels of Peace

Abstract

A growing body of literature explores the relationship between gender equality and corresponding levels of peace within countries. Some scholars argue that female involvement in peace-making processes can significantly increase quality and durability. This may be because civil society groups act as ‘linkages’ between elites and the masses, which may help improve the terms of agreements or persuade a wider set of people to help sustain peace. More generally, scholars argue that civil society groups operate externally from government structures, garnering broad support for peace and providing a means for people with limited access to become involved in politics. I conducted a quantitative analysis of 32 African countries from 2019 to 2021 to test the relationship between levels of conflict and rates of female participation in civil society groups, particularly in countries where women have less formal power in parliaments. Additionally, I assessed development gaps between males and females to assess the broader relevance of gender equality. I found that female involvement in civil society groups was a strong indicator of peace, particularly where there was less official involvement in parliament. Greater gaps in development between males and females were linked to more intense conflict in the given period. These findings imply that fostering gender equality can have various positive implications for societies, particularly because it has the capability to decrease the severity and intensity of conflict.