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Gender in Middle East Peace Negotiations: Contributions and the Exclusion of Palestinian Women as Active Members of the Palestinian Authority
Abstract by Dr. Mae Cannon On Session III-14  (Palestinian Governance)

On Tuesday, November 12 at 11:30 am

2024 Annual Meeting

Abstract
Contributions of Palestinian women have often been ignored or understated in Middle East peace processes over past decades. Women with positions as members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) have, at times, been marginalized and excluded from contributing constructively to international peace negotiations. Women who have served in political positions in Palestine, past and present, will be interviewed to better understand their contributions as political actors and, specifically, the expectation of their roles in the mitigation of conflict, minimizing regional violence and escalations, and their contributions toward ending violence during times of war. While active members of the PA for decades, women’s contributions have often been impeded and progress limited because of their marginalization and exclusion. This paper will answer several questions, including but not limited to: What contributions have Palestinian women made as active members of the PA and its efforts in negotiations and political prospects toward peace? How much more effective might peace negotiations have been had women not been marginalized? For example, while Dr. Hanan Ashrawi served as the official spokesperson during the Madrid Peace Process, she was later excluded from the Oslo Peace Process. What are the consequences of her exclusion? This paper looks at the historical role of a few key women in past negotiations and where women might constructively engage today. What role do women play today in activism and advocacy, calling for justice, and an end to oppression? How are women working to bring an end to the atrocities in Gaza - working to bring an end to Israel’s bombing campaign and the mass killing of Palestinian civilians that began in October 2023? Background research uses methodologies of analyzing historical literature, personal communications, and narratives from qualitative interviews and public communications. This article investigates first-hand accounts of Palestinian women who witnessed and participated in key conversations, negotiations, peace processes, and advocacy actions. Suppose the assumption that women have a constructive role in political engagement, peace processes, and ending violence and war is true. In that case, then the marginalization and exclusion of women must be brought to an end for negotiations to move forward more effectively. If assumptions are not true, that would inherently change the assertion that all members of Palestinian society - including women – should be more engaged politically and are critical members around the table contributing toward peace.
Discipline
Interdisciplinary
Geographic Area
Palestine
Sub Area
None