Women’s Participation in Constitution-Making Processes in Post-Conflict Countries

The constitutional process plays an important role in peaceful political transitions and is a central component of post-conflict peacebuilding. The drafting of a constitution encompasses a debate on important and sensitive issues, which leads to lasting consequences for the state and its citizens. Hence, the way a constitution is produced, not only its content, is highly significant for the country’s future. As constitution-making process is moving towards greater popular participation, citizens are demanding involvement in the process before, during, and after the document is adopted. Comprehensive public participation leads to a higher likelihood that all stakeholders will have a voice in the constitutional process, which is particularly relevant in a post-conflict setting. With this in mind, to develop a deeper assessment of constitution-making process, this paper analyzes women’s participation in the constitutional design in post-conflict scenarios. Firstly, the constitutional process in post-conflict countries is presented, in order to underline that it can foster social reconciliation and the promotion of human rights. Secondly, the importance of integrating a gender perspective into peacebuilding is addressed, focusing in the role played by women in the constitution-making process. Lastly, the explicit endorsement of women’s rights in the constitutions of post-conflict settings is studied, with the aim of stressing that a new constitution is just a starting point and not an end in itself in the roadmap towards concrete improvements to women’s lives.