Technology and Peacebuilding: Empowering Women in Transformative Peace

Introduction

In the last few years, the interplay between technology and peacebuilding has garnered significant attention, offering new openings for dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation. This article explores specific examples of the use of technological interventions for facilitating transformative peace with a focus on the role of women in the peace process.

Traditionally, peacebuilding efforts have been dominated by political and military interventions. The advent of digital technology has ushered in a new era. For instance, digital platforms now offer unprecedented opportunities for grassroots organizations to empower previously marginalized voices, especially women, to be heard.

Jana Krause et al. (2018) note peace processes that engage women are often more likely to endure successful outcomes. Unfortunately, it is a notion that has rarely been tested due to the typical exclusion of women from transformative peacebuilding; typically, women tend to be victims of violence and often remain at the forefront of supporting families and communities wracked by violence. This provides an underutilized albeit important perspective in steps leading toward the cessation of conflict.

Technology in Conflict Resolution

Increasingly, women have adopted technology as a transformative tool in peacebuilding efforts. The intersection of women, technology, and peacebuilding is a fascinating area of development with remarkable advancements. Focused on harnessing digital tools, women across the global are breaking down barriers and contributing to transformative peace in innovative ways.

PeaceFem App

One prominent example is the PeaceFem App: A tool for inclusive peace negotiations. Launched by UN Women and partners, the PeaceFem mobile app is designed to support women’s rights advocates and other stakeholders in influencing negotiations to support peace.

The app provides case studies on gender provisions in peace agreements and strategies for their inclusion. Since its launch in 2020, PeaceFem has been in use in over 60 countries, with the 2023 update including additional case studies and languages to expand its reach further.

Stacy Dina’s iCut App

Fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Stacy Dina’s iCut app has been using mobile technology to fight FGM in Kenya. Her team developed the iCut app, which connects girls at risk of FGM to hospitals, authorities, and rescue centers.

This initiative not only provides immediate help for women and girls, but also focuses on public education regarding the effects of FGM. Furthermore, Dina’s work extends to mentoring young girls in app development in an effort to foster interest in technology for social good.

Social media campaigns have also played a pivotal role in promoting peace by reaching millions globally thereby influencing public opinion and policy discussions. Many notable campaigns of women from diverse backgrounds have risen to prominence by utilizing hashtags and digital storytelling to highlight the human impact of conflict and the necessity of peace. The use of social media in this context demonstrates how technology can amplify women’s voices in peacebuilding narratives.

Afghan Women’s Twitter Campaigns for Peace

Afghan women have in the past used X, formerly Twitter, as a platform for organizing and engaging with U.S. Congressional hearings on women’s inclusion in peace and security, providing a direct line to policymakers and peace-talk facilitators that would not have existed otherwise.

This strategic use of the social media platform to connect with policymakers and peace-talk facilitators, have led hashtags such as #AfghanWomenWillNotGoBack and #MyRedLine to trend and allow for the sharing of perspectives on peace agreements. This approach exemplifies how digital platforms may empower women in contexts where their physical mobility and voices are often restricted or muted.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Rescue Me Organization

In Lebanon, the organization Rescue Me formed a partnership with the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) to provide Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) after the 2020 explosion. This initiative, focused on reducing the gendered stigma around mental health by asking fathers to accompany their children to mental health sessions, subtly addressing men’s reluctance to seek supportive mental health services.

Similarly, in Iraq, the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) reintegration programming, led by Nadia Alawamleh, combines MHPSS with livelihoods training, addressing both mental health and socio-economic needs, particularly for women affected by conflict. This approach helps women who have experienced trauma to start anew by addressing their socio-economic needs alongside supportive mental health services.

Challenges and Opportunities

These examples are promising, however, many challenges remain. Digital divides and gender equity disparities around access to technology may limit the effectiveness of these initiatives. Moreover, there remains a risk of online harassment and violence both of which disproportionately affect women. Addressing these challenges require concerted efforts from governments, civil society, and the tech industry to ensure safe and equitable access to technology for all.

The future of peacebuilding is increasingly digital, and women are at the forefront of this transformation. These initiatives demonstrate the diverse and impactful ways women around the world are leveraging technology for peacebuilding as a tool for empowerment. Harnessing the full potential of technology in peacebuilding is an essential part of investing in digital literacy and creating inclusive spaces, where women may participate and lead the way.

Furthermore, leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), social media, and mobile apps, may add new dimensions to transformative peacebuilding efforts, such as enhancing transparency in peace negotiations or tracking ceasefire violations. The integration of technology in the peace process offers new hope for resolving long-standing conflicts and building sustainable peace. As technologies advance, it is crucial to continue supporting and amplifying these digital initiatives led by women in an effort to recognize their pivotal role in driving a more peaceful and equitable world.

The journey towards gender equality and peace is a collective one, and technology has become an indispensable ally in this quest.

Pilot Peak Mediation & Global Conflict Services, LLC