Women Participation In Conflict Management And Socio-Economic Transformation In Burundi A Case Study Of Ngozi Subcounty

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION.

APPROVAL

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

ABSTRACT vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 4

1.3 Purpose of the study 5

1.4 Specific objectives 5

1.5 Research questions 5

1.6 Scope of the study 5

1.7 Significance of the study 6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 7

2.0 Introduction 7

2.1 Conflicts in Burundi 7

2.1.1 Forms of conflict management 7

2.2 Women participation in conflict, management 9

2.3 Women participation in economic transformation 12

2.4Challenges women face while participating in conflict managementl5

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 17

3. 1 Introduction 17

3.2 Research overall approach 17

3.3 Research design 17

3.3 Study area and population and sample size 18

3.4 Sample size 18

3.4.1 Women 18

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3.4.2 The local leaders.18

3.4.3 The staffs of non-governmental organizations in women

empowerment and conflict management 19

3.5 Sampling procedure 19

3.6 Data collection 20

3.6.1 Primary source of data 20

3.6.2 Secondary source of data 20

3.7 Instruments of data collection 20

3.7. 1 Questionnaires 20

3.7.2 Interviews 21

3.7.3 Use of documents 21

3.8 Data analysis 21

3.9 Ethical considerations and procedure 22

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND

DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS 23

4.0 Introduction 23

4. 1 Socio-demographic Characteristics 23

4.2 The Role of women in conflict management in Ngozi Pronvince

Burundi 27

4.3 How women’s participation in conflict management influence socio

economic transformation 29

4.4 The challenges women face in managing conflicts in Ngozi

Pronvince 32

CHAPTER FiVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS 35

5.0 Introduction 35

5,1 Summary of the study 35

5.2 Conclusions 37

5.3 Recommendations 38

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ABSTRACT This study focused on women’s participation in conflict management and

socioeconomic transformation in Ngozi subcounty, Ngozi Pronvice,

Burundi. Three specific objectives were based on to collect data, these

included; to examine the role of women in conflict management in Ngozi

sub county; to analyse how women’s participation in conflict management

influence socio-economic transformation and, to examine the challenges

women face in managing conflicts. The researcher employed both

descriptive and exploratory research designs. A sample size of 70

respondents was used to collect information.

Findings on objective one showed that there could be an opportunity loss

of not involving women before, during and after conflicts as a conflict

management approach because women’s involvement through mediation,

conflict resolution and transformation initiatives. Women are also excellent

actors in peace building and decision making as they normally have

brilliant ideas to calm conflict situations. This does not only restore peace

but also significantly leads to national development.

Looking at the second objective, findings showed that in the process of

managing conflicts, women share ideas, get networks and contacts which

they eventually use for economic benefits like employment opportunities -

this largely determines their families’ standards of living. Successful

management of conflicts enables women to aggressively participate in

modernized agriculture and now are they are also in international trade

which leads to socio-economic transformation and food security that

eventually brings national development. Similarly participation of women

in conflict management leads to their social improvements and improved

quality of life~for self and family since conflict management influence them

into better decision making by promoting greater social cohesion, peace,

trust in social institutions, democratic participation, and appreciation of

diversity in gender, ethnicity, religion and social class.

It was however established that although women’s contributions in conflict

management is very important, they experience various challenges in the

due course -these included; limited financial resources to effectively run

their conflict management projects, exclusion from male-dominated

decision-making forums, cultural rigidities and ties, security risks as they

normally experience threats from conflicting parties, among others.

The study therefore recommends that the Reconciliation Commission in

Burundi should advocate for gender malnstreaming at both national and

community level, involve women in conflict management and warning

systems, and train women in mediation, facilitation and alternative

dispute resolution if the country is to achieve social, political and

economic transformation and development.

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