Obstacles on women's participation in peace processes: Case of Nagorno-Karabakh

Purpose – this study aims to find which kind of obstacles stand in the way of women's participation in peace processes and how they can be eliminated. The focus of the research will be on peace as well as post-conflict reconstruction processes. Design/methodology/approach – this study was conducted by using mixed (qualitative and quantitative) research methods for analyzing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict case study. A web survey method with open-ended questions was chosen to conduct the research of the selected case study. Consequently, more than 50 organizations in Azerbaijan and Armenia were contacted for cooperation requesting the participation of their members in this survey. Consequently, 30 online questionnaires with members of active non-governmental organizations in Armenia and Azerbaijan were received between January and February 2021. Findings – The research has confirmed feminist claims about the role of women in conflict, peace, and peacebuilding. Since various feminist studies show how women's participation positively affects the achievement and maintenance of peace, this study tried to investigate the reasons for the small participation of women in the peace processes of Karabakh conflict, which is still at the stage of negative peace. Consequently, the results of this study showed that the main barriers to the women`s participation and inclusion in peace processes are the patriarchal nature of the societies, the neutrality of international organizations, women`s low access to resources and power, as well as the impossibility to participate in the official negotiations. Accordingly, for the elimination of these obstacles gender equality education, promotion of the women`s contribution to peace processes, financial and other support to women`s civil organizations and female activists and creating opportunities to share experiences among women organizations and official structures are needed. Originality/value – this study contributes to the literature because it has examined the barriers to women's participation in the peace process of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and tries to find recommendations for the elimination of these obstacles.