Feminist vision(s) of peace in frozen conflict settings: the case study of Georgia

Abstract

Feminist vision(s) of peace in frozen conflict settings: the case study of Georgia July 2023 Glasgow Student Number: 2704438m Trento Student Number: 233429 Charles Student Number: 16358708 Presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies Word Count: 20,064 Supervisor: prof. Rebecca Kay Date of Submission: 22/07/2023 Abstract Since the early stage of the Abkhaz-Georgian conflict in 1992, women's organisations have been active in providing humanitarian support and in pursuing reconciliation efforts between Georgians and Abkhazians. Thirty years after the beginning of the conflict and with official negotiations stalled, women's organisations have continued to operate, especially at the grassroots level. This research project seeks to understand the gender dynamics in the frozen conflict settings of Georgia and Abkhazia by looking at how the gendered impacts of the conflict influence women's engagement in peacebuilding. The peace efforts of women's organisations are examined from a gender lens to determine how gender is deployed and whether it affects the reconciliation activities between the parties. These initiatives are compared to feminist peace concepts, characteristics, and practices. In particular, the aim is to...