Demonstration for peace in Colombia. Flickr. Some rights reserved.
Various international experiences in post-conflict contexts demonstrate that the role of women in a country's socio-economic, political and cultural reconstruction is essential for a sustainable and lasting peace. Generally, during and immediately after armed conflicts, women's presence in the workforce increases due to the absence - or death - of men who have traditionally provided for families' economic livelihood. Insodoing, women stimulate local economic recovery once hostilities have ended.
While more systematic research is needed to conclusively ascertain a positive relationship between female labour force participation and economic recovery in post-conflict scenarios, there are strong indications as regards this relationship. In Colombia, for example, evidence was found of local economic stimulus generated by women in areas affected by the conflict. For one, the economic activity of women can generate additional wealth, help maintain functioning markets, and increase productivity in the use of resources, and for another, it can bring greater prosperity to the home and to the community as a result of an increase in per capita consumption.
