The master's thesis, grounded in feminist theories of international relations, explores the gender-resilience nexus in peacebuilding. Through a gender-informed analytical lens, it examines the role of women in peace processes and the transformative potential of their gender-sensitive approaches, rooted in lived experience and local knowledge. The thesis draws from a feminist critique of liberal peacebuilding and extends existing models through an analysis of resilience and inclusive practices. The methodology is based on qualitative methods, including content and historical analysis, as well as a comparative case study of Liberia, the Philippines, and Northern Ireland. In all three cases, peace processes were initially shaped by liberal peace paradigms, resulting in exclusionary and substantively limited agreements. The involvement of local women's movements, however, contributed to more inclusive peace agreements with transformative potential. The findings indicate that women played a critical role in reshaping peace processes by identifying and addressing structural inequalities, incorporating everyday experiences, mobilizing communities, and promoting inclusive bottom-up approaches. The gender–resilience nexus emerges as a key factor in achieving sustainable peace, particularly when implemented through gender-sensitive, responsive and transformative approaches. While gender can facilitate a breakthrough in conflict, enduring transformation and positive peace requires changes to the broader institutional framework.
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