War Interrelated Women

Civilians have been increasingly targeted during conflicts, and in particular women and children; while 100 years ago, war affected ten percent of the civilian population, it now impacts on 90 percent, of which women and children constitute the majority (Heynes, 2003) (16. Helen Scanlon Reading). The French soldiers used violence against the Algerian population as a way to quiet down any thoughts of revolting against the French colony. Sexual violence has been integral to war strategies in many African contexts, but unfortunately the role of armies and non-state actors as perpetrators of gender-based violence is often simply viewed as an “unfortunate” consequence of war. (16. Helen Scanlon reading).(Cynthia Cockburn reading pg.110). More men

This chapter’s thesis’ revolves around the idea that gender, and war are all intertwined and it is false to not understand so. Furthermore, this chapter aids us in understanding the relationship between gender and war. In Chapter Ten, the thesis revolves around the idea that war and gender are interrelated. “War may be seen as actually shaping the gender relations of a given society, while, in turn, a certain gender order may be seen as predisposing a society to war” (Cockburn 2007, 2010; Goldstein 2001; Reardon 1996). The author’s first paragraph is called, “The Sexual Division of War: Interesting but insufficient.” The title let alone explains to us that there is more involved in regards to the harm of war of women then just looking at the sexual division. In Chapter Ten, Cockburn makes a clear statement that “although more men die in combat, women are further affected as they are more commonly numbered amongst civilian casualties, dying of disease, malnutrition, sexual violence and accident” (111). As taught by my grandmother, in the traditional Algerian society women have the uppermost impact on a family and society. Many times soldiers purposely rape women as a method of torture as the raping would bring shame to themselves, their families and the community. Women are subjected to greater consequences of war such as being displaced, however due to their gender and the focus on patriarchal issues they are neglected. Even during war and displacement, “women are still expected to perform a characteristic role in looking after the young, elderly and sick in extreme conditions” (Cockburn 111). Cockburn further discusses that; “a feature of many if not most wars is mass sexual violence inflicted by men on women” (117). This is a tactic, “where military commanders make deliberate use of mass rape to destabilize