Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

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Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Halmos College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Conflict Resolution Studies

First Advisor

Alexia Georgakopoulos

Second Advisor

Judith McKay

Third Advisor

Urszula Strawinska-Zanko

Keywords

academic research, conflict analysis and resolution, cultural barriers, decision-making processes, economic opportunities, gender inequality, gender-specific challenges, Galtung's structural and cultural theory, higher leadership positions, lived experiences, male-dominated spaces, marginalization, mediation, participation rights, patriarchal norms, peace agreements, peacebuilding, phenomenological transcendental theory, policymaking, poverty, qualitative research, societal expectations, South Sudan, structural barriers, subjective experiences, women's participation, women's perceptions

Abstract

The participation of women in peacebuilding processes has been the subject of increasing attention in recent years. Although progress had been made in integrating women into formal mediation and decision-making roles in peace agreements, gender inequality persisted, particularly in higher leadership positions during peacebuilding (Paffenholz et al., 2016; Porter, 2003). This research conducted on women's experiences in the mediation and decision-making processes of the peace agreements in South Sudan revealed that women encountered gender-specific challenges, including societal expectations, patriarchal norms, and marginalization within male-dominated spaces. These challenges were integral to their daily experiences and contributed to their invisibility in public roles, denying them equal participation rights. The women expressed that their poverty stemmed not only from the lack of material possessions but also from their marginalization due to limited access to education and economic opportunities. By employing a combination of phenomenological transcendental theory (Moustakas, 1994) and Galtung's structural and cultural theory (Galtung, 1990), this research sought to understand the subjective experiences of women and the broader structural and cultural barriers they faced. It provided a comprehensive analysis that contributed to academic research and practical policymaking. The phenomenological transcendental method, which captured women's perceptions, emotions, and interpretations of the mediation and decision-making process, highlighted the importance of qualitative research in comprehending complex social phenomena, particularly in peacebuilding contexts where lived experiences offered invaluable insights.

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