Creating space for bottom-up conflict de-escalation and peacebuilding

Violent conflicts and ethno-religious divisions are often a result of large-scale power games and have caused the death of many people, leaving deep scars even between neighbours. Managing conflict is often approached by top-down processes initiated by national decision-makers, governments and non-governmental organisations. However, success is not guaranteed.

The r4d projectThe Gender Dimensions of Social Conflict, Armed Violence and Peacebuildinganalysed gender roles and how violence might be de-escalated by reaching out across religious and social divides. Results indicate that the potential of bottom-up initiatives led by women and men at the micro-level has been largely underestimated. The researchers found that everyday people can contribute to large-scale conflict resolution when they abandon their traditional gender roles and get involved in trust-building efforts. Getting involved, questioning ongoing efforts and making sure that women play a greater role in peacebuilding and managing conflict was found to be key for a more sustainable peace. The findings of this project can help decision-makers to address structural imbalances and work towards a long-lasting peace.

This video-clip was produced as part of the r4d Digital Storytellers synthesis project. Its contents were filmed by Jeanine Reutemann and selected by Emmanuelle Chauvet of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Switzerland, in collaboration with local partners in Nigeria and Indonesia. The digital storytelling process was accompanied and supported byPaititi Lab.Watch on YouTube.