Women in Conflict Zones: Exploring their Roles in Terrorismand Peacebuilding Initiatives in Northwestern Pakistan

Abstract

Women's potential contributions to peacebuilding efforts have gained recognition
at the national, regional, and global levels in recent years. Given the ongoing
disproportionate impact of violence on women in the most severely impacted
conflict areas, international development efforts have prioritized the
identification of crucial concerns related to peace, security, and women. The
women living in the newly merged districts (NMDs) of Pakistan have continually
taken a prominent role in the effort to establish peace and security in the region.
The increasing infringement of women's rights in the tribal belt has allowed
terrorists to exploit the deep-seated hostility, thereby becoming a significant
threat to the regional government's authority. The NMDs offer numerous
opportunities to comprehend the suffering that women who were subject to
instability throughout the conflict experienced. Pakistan's security strategy and
efforts to combat violent extremism do not adequately take into account female
considerations. To ensure the protection and enhance the involvement of
individuals in public matters, additional legal, political, and economic reforms
are required. The inquiry on the involvement of women in peacebuilding in
Pakistan highlights the need for the government to prioritize policy measures that
incorporate gender perspectives while also improving the effectiveness of existing
initiatives. This paper will also address women's involvement in peacebuilding
and combating violent extremism in the light of Hadith and Quranic verses.