Policy insights series

The series presents the experiences, aspirations and lessons learned from women in or associated with resistance and liberation movements on gender-inclusive approaches to peace negotiations and post-war peacebuilding.

The knowledge and experience of women associated with resistance and liberation movements (RLMs) remains an untapped resource for the peacebuilding community. Since 2018, the Berghof Foundation’s project "Supporting women in resistance and liberation movements in peace negotiations and post-war transitions" has focused on the creation of a peer-learning network for women members of ten active and recently demobilised RLMs. In so doing, the network aims to enhance these women’s skills and expertise during peace negotiation processes, and to bolster their capacity and opportunities for post-war political and community leadership. The series compiles recommendations from the network, entry points and opportunities that emerge, as well as presents best practices to help mediation teams, donor countries and peacebuilding agencies engage effectively with women(ex)combatants and women in or associated with RLMs all stages of peace processes. Through presenting the experiences, knowledge and insights of the network, the series aims to be a tool for peacebuilding actors to enhance their support to the political, social and economic (re)integration of women (ex)-combatants into democratic, peaceful and civilian life.

• Gender-inclusive conflict transformation. Insights from female former combatants and women associated with resistance and liberation movements
  Claudia Cruz Almeida, Véronique Dudouet, Victoria Cochrane. 2022  
• Political reintegration and the continuation of the struggle after war. Women ex-combatants in formal and informal politics
  Claudia Cruz Almeida, Véronique Dudouet, Johanna-Maria Hülzer. 2024  
• From the mountains to the public arena. The struggle of women ex-combatants of FARC-EP to make their voices heard
  Victoria Sandino Simanca Herrera. 2024  
• At and around the table. Uncovering the diversity of roles played by women from resistance and liberation movements in peace processes
  Claudia Cruz Almeida, Fee Högner. 2025