Colloquium 2002 Policy Day Roundtable Discussions
Post-Conflict Political Participation

What opportunities and challenges do women face in post-conflict political participation? At the Women Waging Peace 2002 Colloquium, Vjosa Dobruna, one of three women appointed to the United Nations Joint Interim Administrative Structure of Kosovo, and Nanda Pok, Executive Director of Cambodia's Women for Prosperity, sat face-to-face with policymakers to tackle this very question.

After exchanging poignant comments about political histories and recent triumphs, the women agreed that there are concrete opportunities to develop in post-conflict situations. A crisis is a turning point. War disrupts the status quo, weakens established institutions, and creates a sense of chaos; war-torn countries have few options but to rebuild from scratch. Women must seize these moments to incorporate new ideas into the political arena and to push for new principles, new standards, and, of course, their own inclusion.

Most roundtable discussants agreed it is easier to get women on the ballot and into political office in a proportional party system. When trustworthy institutions select women candidates, the public views these women as legitimate. Still, getting them into office is just the first step-keeping them there is more difficult. As both Ms. Pok and Ms. Dobruna testified, ongoing training is key to retaining women in political positions and encouraging others to follow their lead.

Other challenges faced by women include incorporating younger generations in the rebuilding of their countries and convincing policy shapers that women's issues are everyone's issues. The policymakers at the table agreed that there is more work to be done. They also realized that after the success of Policy Day, they have more support and direction to carry out this work.

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