Women, CSOs and Post-Election Peace Initiatives: The Case of the Ark Foundation Ghana

Abstract

This thesis examines the role of women’s groups and CSOs in post-election peacebuilding. The main objective of the study is to demonstrate how women’s groups contribute to peacebuilding. Moreover, it is to show the importance of local initiatives targeted at post-election peace. Aside being a measure of democracy, post-election peace is necessary for the protection of lives and the promotion of community relations. To meet these objectives, the study draws on ten (10) semi-structured interviews and several visits to the Ark Foundation, the women’s group of interest in this study. The concepts of local, multi- track peacebuilding and civil society have been used as the framework for analysis.

The study findings indicate that achieving peace is a joint responsibility that needs the involvement of all stakeholders in a society. Women’s groups, which are a part of grassroots organisations, are also seen to contribute immensely to consensus building, using their middle-level placement in the society as a means of working with both top and bottom levels. The triple role of women, is also seen to be a factor motivating women to work for peace, thereby making them a necessary part of sustainable conciliation.

Analytically, the study gives credence to the on-going debate about the need to include women and other non-state actors in peace work like post-election peace, and how their involvement could lead to more sustainable results. The study further contributes to the understanding of why women work for peace. It also gives credence to the idea that peacebuilding is a multi-track venture, requiring the contributions of stakeholders at all levels of society. Finally, the study contributes to the importance of including local perspectives in peacebuilding.