Work

Protest without influence? A meso-level analysis of women's inclusion in civil resistance movements

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: While female participation in rebel groups is well studied, women's roles in nonviolent uprisings remain less understood. Using novel data on women's participation in 1135 dissenting organizations in Africa (1990-2015), we test hypotheses that organizational ideology (leftist, liberal, gender-equal) increases the likelihood of women's involvement. We find that the only ideology with a consistently positive effect on female participation—across organizational levels—is gender-inclusive ideology. The article expands civil resistance literature by showing that despite women's numeric and substantive contributions in movements, they often lack representation in formal organizations that lead and shape uprisings during mobilization and beyond.

Source: Conflict Management and Peace Science

DOI: 10.1177/07388942251410860

Authors: Ingrid Vik Bakken, Johannes Vüllers

Institutions: Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, University of Duisburg-Essen

Language: English

Topic: Political Conflict and Governance

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

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

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650