Women at War, Women Building Peace

Challenging Gender Norms not only renders women visible through the fog of war, it also offers a powerful framework for a fuller understanding of conflicts and political violence. Women's decisions to turn to belligerent action rather than seek peaceful resolutions represent their conscious efforts to have input into shaping the course of violence and post-conflict dispensations. Through case studies and interviews with women in three varied conflict arenas, Northern Ireland, Israel- Palestine and Sri Lanka, Kaufman and Williams challenge stereotypical notions of women as innate nurturers and peacemakers. Through their investigation of gender norms, Kaufman and Williams answer the question "Where are the women?" and show the role of women as participants and historical agents in political processes that are often violent and bloody. Readers of Challenging Gender Norms will find it to be an excellent companion to their first book for Kumarian Press, Women and War Both books are suitable for classes in gender, political science, peace and conflict studies, and international relations.