Gender and Conflict: Conceptual Foundations and Analytical Perspectives

The examination of gender norms within conflict dynamics is a vitally important field, particularly in the current global context of backlash to gender equality, democratic erosion, and ongoing political violence. Gender norms, which in highly patriarchal societies are characterized by militarized masculinity and male privilege, significantly influence attitudes towards violence and peace. Despite varied research, empirical analyses yield mixed results regarding the direct causal relationship between gender inequality norms and the risk of armed conflict. Notably, studies suggest that patriarchal norms serve as frameworks that shape how grievances are perceived and addressed. While the empirical evidence of a direct link between gender norms and conflict is mixed, additional insights suggest contextual elements such as economic marginalization and demographic pressures may exacerbate violence in societies with patriarchal norms.

This Research Topic aims to focus on the micro-level processes through which gender norms influence the onset, escalation, and resolution of violence, as well as peacebuilding dynamics. Researchers are encouraged to explore mechanisms through which gendered norms interact with political, economic, and social environments. By employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the research seeks to uncover the complex interactions involved in how patriarchal norms are perpetuated or challenged in day-to-day interactions, ultimately affecting larger conflict dynamics.

To gather further insights into the nuanced relationship between gender norms and conflict, we welcome research articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Gender norms and attitudes about political violence
• Women’s agency in armed movements
• Gendered dimensions of peace negotiations
• Intersectionality in experiences of violence and peace
• The role of institutions and culture in reproducing or mitigating patriarchal norms
• Gender, digital platforms, and social media: mobilization, harassment, and the spread of political violence narratives

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: gender norms, intersectionality, political violence, conflict resolution, patriarchal systems, peacebuilding

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.