تنازعات کے حل اور قیامِ امن میں خواتین کا کردار: ایک علمی و تحقیقی مطالعہ

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACEBUILDING: AN ACADEMIC AND ANALYTICAL STUDY

Abstract

This study critically examines the role of women as catalysts of peace across three temporal dimensions—past, present, and future—while highlighting the enduring significance of their contributions to conflict resolution and societal harmony. Peace, being a fundamental human need and the collective aspiration of every community, demands inclusive participation, particularly from women who traditionally occupy influential social positions as mothers, daughters, and wives. Their innate emotional resilience and inclination toward reconciliation have historically enabled them to foster stability within families and communities. The article revisits the contributions of prominent women in early Islamic history, including the diplomatic wisdom of Queen Bilqis and the consultative roles of Umm Salama (RA) and Aisha (RA), demonstrating how women actively shaped peacebuilding processes during the Prophetic and early Caliphate periods.

The study further explores contemporary examples such as Aisha Al-Bakoush’s successful mediation between Libyan tribes, the political engagement of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, and the conflict-resolution initiatives of Pakistan’s "Khwendo Jirga". Statistical evidence from recent UN reports underscores that peace agreements involving women are significantly more durable and effective. Building on these historical and modern insights, the article proposes practical frameworks for enhancing women’s participation in peace processes at individual, community, and state levels within the Muslim world. It emphasizes education, socio-economic empowerment, representation in decision-making bodies, and culturally sensitive approaches as essential prerequisites for sustainable peace.

Overall, the study argues that women—empowered by their moral authority, social influence, and spiritual stature in Islamic tradition—are indispensable agents for preventing conflict and nurturing long-term peace.