Work

The gendered politics of the ‘local turn’ in peacebuilding: Acholi traditional justice and gender in post‐conflict Uganda

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Typically, advancing localised approaches to peacebuilding has evaded critical reflection on the power dynamics and harms that can arise. This paper considers the gender dynamics and gendered harms that can manifest themselves when adopting an uncritical approach to localisation in peacebuilding. To do so, it examines the use of mato oput (drinking the bitter root) in post-conflict northern Uganda, as an example of a localised approach to post-conflict transitional justice, to investigate these dynamics and harms. It draws from interviews and focus-group discussions that were conducted in northern Uganda between 2020 and 2022 and engages with critical international relations scholarship on the 'local turn' in peacebuilding and the gendered nature of conflict and peace. The paper argues that in patriarchal societies, advancing localisation may entail a return to the traditional or customary order that reaffirms and reifies oppressive gender power relations and helps to consolidate gender inequalities, including unequal access to both security and justice.

Source: Disasters

DOI: 10.1111/disa.12677

Authors: Richard Fosu, Eleanor Gordon

Institution: Monash University

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Security, and Conflict

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,730