A Gendered Lens for Genocide Prevention

Abstract

An understanding of gender and the ways in which gender is performed is central to achieving effective, long-term, humanist mechanisms for genocide prevention. This book develops the concept of “a gendered lens for genocide prevention,” providing innovative and effective ways in understanding the role of gender in genocide studies, and new tools for policymaking and preventative efforts. A gendered lens for genocide prevention is based on recognizing early warning signs of preconditioned behavior for perpetrating genocide and mass atrocities.

While gender has been recognized as a crucial factor in understanding genocide and mass atrocities, most notably in the work of Adam Jones, a specific gendered lens for genocide prevention remains to be lacking in both policy and academia. To provide a framework for a gendered lens for genocide prevention, the authors draw on contemporary feminist theory, concepts of masculinity, critical discussions of international law and in-depth case studies. The authors uncover socially constructed gender roles for the onset, form and prevention of genocide and mass atrocities.

The framework is applied to a diverse range of topics, covering historic cases of genocide and its treatment by international law, for instance the Holocaust, the Red Khmer and Rwanda, and also contemporary cases like mass atrocities committed against Yazidis in Iraq and Syria.

The book does not attempt to offer a single or particular solution to preventing genocide and mass atrocities, but rather highlights the fact that it is prevention that should be at the forefront of both academic work and political initiatives. The editors propose that any future work on genocide and mass atrocity prevention should involve a better understanding of how gendered roles interact with violence at different stages, and how working with this knowledge can assist prevention efforts.