For the last few decades, wars all over the world have not been the same as they used to be. Their appearance has changed fundamentally, and thus it seems inaccurate to call them just the same as wars as we know them. ‘Old Wars’ until the beginning of the 20th century were what we would perceive as the ‘classic’ type of war, with two states fighting against each other on a military level. They are, what Clausewitz called „a continuation of political commerce, a carrying out of the same by other means“. Those disputes usually ended after a huge, final battle, which ultimately led to a political decision of some sort. Today, this type of warfare is almost non-existent anymore when it comes to conflicts all over the world. So, what do we call these wars? Kaldor and later Münkler both suggested the term ‘New Wars’ as the most fitting for what we see on a global scale today. But what are these ‘New Wars’, what makes them so significantly different? This question will be answered in this essay, with a specific focus on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and especially on violence against women as one of the most important and shocking factors of those new types of conflicts. It will be highlighted on the example of the African state Liberia, which has recently found its way out of conflict, but is still struggling with the consequences and results of the civil war that has eroded the country with all its institutions and even more importantly, its society. Can this conflict be classified as a ‘New War’ when considering the dimension of SGBV? And how far has the state come in terms of gender equality and the fight against SGBV since the end of the 15-year period of civil war that has impacted the country on so many levels?
Table of Contents
1. NEW WARS
2. WHAT ARE NEW WARS MADE OF?
3. SEXUAL VIOLENCE AS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF NEW WARS
3.1 WHAT IS SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE?
3.2 WHY SGBV IS IMPORTANT FOR NEW WARS
4. THE CASE OF LIBERIA
4.1 A SHORT CONFLICT OVERVIEW
4.2 SGBV IN LIBERIA
5. FINDINGS
5.1 WAS THE CONFLICT IN LIBERIA A NEW WAR?
5.2 HOW FAR HAVE WE COME? WHERE DO WE GO?
5.3 FURTHER DISCUSSIONS
6. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the evolution of modern conflict, specifically focusing on how "New Wars" utilize sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as a strategic tool. Using the civil war in Liberia as a primary case study, the research investigates the transition from traditional interstate warfare to contemporary conflicts characterized by identity-based motives, targeting of civilians, and the systemic use of sexual violence to demoralize and destabilize communities.
- The theoretical conceptualization of "New Wars" and their distinct characteristics.
- The instrumentalization of sexual violence as a psychological warfare tactic.
- An analysis of the Liberian civil war in the context of New War theory.
- Evaluating post-conflict progress regarding gender equality and institutional reform in Liberia.
- Challenges in addressing the long-term consequences of SGBV in post-conflict societies.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Sexual Violence as a Major Component of New Wars
Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) has always been a part of war, no matter if old or new (Münkler 2015: 39). But never before where reporting rates this high and the usage so widespread as within ‘New Wars’. Still, political scientists have tended to deem it as just another negative side effect of war and decided to therefore overlook it mostly (Alison 2008: 40; Cohen/Nordas 2014: 418). But concerning the new extent it has reached in recent years, a deeper look into the matter has been proven necessary to understand the new dynamics warfare has acquired.
With SGBV having reached a new peak in recent decades, shocking examples e.g. in Rwanda and Yugoslavia (Alison 2008: 44; Münkler 2015: 39) or in the Japanese comfort stations during World War II (Chinkin/Kaldor 2013: 174; Buckel: 2008) have come to global attention. The international community was forced to react and act upon these happenings.
With UNSCR 1325 in 2000, the UN has acknowledged the problem and tried to initiate the elimination of the prospect of SGBV especially violence against women, since it is the most frequently occurring form (UNHCR 2003: 10), and other major problems concerning the equality and empowerment of women. Further resolutions have been passed, e.g. UNSCR 1820 (2008), which describes explicit strategies for action, but there is still progress to be made (De Carvalho/Schia 2013: 183). But what exactly is SGBV? Since the term is used in a variety of ways and in various definitions, we will first have a closer look at what this concept entails.
Summary of Chapters
1. NEW WARS: Defines the paradigm shift from 'Old Wars' to 'New Wars' and introduces the paper’s focus on SGBV within modern conflicts.
2. WHAT ARE NEW WARS MADE OF?: Analyzes the structural changes in modern warfare, including new actors, goals, and financing methods compared to traditional interstate conflicts.
3. SEXUAL VIOLENCE AS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF NEW WARS: Explores the conceptualization of SGBV as a strategic weapon and analyzes its increasing prevalence in recent decades.
4. THE CASE OF LIBERIA: Provides an overview of the Liberian civil war and investigates the specific application of SGBV within that conflict.
5. FINDINGS: Evaluates whether the Liberian conflict fits the 'New War' criteria and assesses post-conflict efforts to improve gender equality and address systemic violence.
6. CONCLUSION: Summarizes the findings, confirming SGBV as a central component of 'New Wars' and reflecting on the ongoing challenges for Liberian society.
Keywords
New Wars, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, SGBV, Liberia, Civil War, Human Rights, UNSCR 1325, Psychological Warfare, Conflict Transformation, Gender Equality, Armed Conflict, Post-conflict Reconstruction, Violence against Women, Military Strategy, International Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The research focuses on the transition of warfare from traditional forms to "New Wars," with a specific emphasis on how sexual and gender-based violence has become a deliberate, strategic component of these modern conflicts.
What are the primary themes discussed in the paper?
Key themes include the theoretical framework of New War theory, the instrumentalization of sexual violence, case study analysis of Liberia, and the effectiveness of international resolutions like UNSCR 1325 in post-conflict recovery.
What is the primary research objective?
The goal is to determine if the Liberian civil war can be classified as a 'New War' by analyzing the role of SGBV and assessing how the state has navigated the path toward gender equality following the conflict.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper employs a qualitative analysis, utilizing literature review and secondary data from international organizations to compare conflict patterns and evaluate the impact of post-conflict policy reforms.
What is addressed in the main body of the text?
The main body covers the theoretical definition of New Wars, the mechanisms of sexual violence, a detailed examination of the Liberian civil war, and an evaluation of Liberia's progress in social and legal reforms.
Which keywords define this work?
The work is defined by terms such as New Wars, SGBV, Liberia, Human Rights, Psychological Warfare, and Post-conflict Reconstruction.
How does the author define SGBV in the context of the Liberian war?
SGBV in the Liberian context is analyzed not just as a side effect of war, but as a method of psychological warfare used to destroy social structures, demoralize the population, and terrorize communities.
What role did international organizations play in Liberia's post-conflict development?
The paper highlights the role of international support, such as UN missions and resolutions like UNSCR 1325, in rebuilding the country and attempting to institutionalize protection for women, while noting the limitations of these efforts in rural areas.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jessica Siebert (Autor:in), 2018, Sexual and Gender‐Based Violence. A Major Component of 'New Wars'. The Example of the Civil War in Liberia, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1032857
