Women and peace: from the perspective of Palestinian women

Abstract

This research is an introductory study on the topic Women and Peace from the viewpoint of Palestinian women. Its main argument is that social factors offer the best explanation for relevant relationships that have been traditionally given other explanations. Historically, females are seen as inherently peaceful, while men have been viewed as having war-related tendencies. These stereotypes have been shown to be erroneous. Feminism in the West is discussed in light of its goals and activities. Feminism in the Middle Eastern world, however, has largely chosen not to follow the same ambitions as its Western counterpart. This is because Middle Eastern women live in an entirely different social context and so naturally interpret the principles of women rights from a different perspective. On a narrower level, Palestinian women are greatly affected by the situation in which they find themselves. The lack of basic freedoms that the women of Palestine have endured has resulted in women's groups joining the struggle for national liberation, as opposed to concentrating on obtaining equality with men. These women have tended to avoid joining peace movements similarly for social reasons. The living conditions of the women are considerably poor and the lack of education and financial resources have limited the number of Palestinian women who can participate in formal peace-promoting organizations.