Procesos de paz y reconstrucción política en el Sahel: el papel de las mujeres ante la violencia sexual | Zenodo Skip to main Communities My dashboard Log in Sign up CODESEL Published April 1, 2026 | Version v1 Journal article Open Procesos de paz y reconstrucción política en el Sahel: el papel de las mujeres ante la violencia sexual Authors/Creators Brox Sáenz de la Calzada, Alicia (Researcher) 1 Show affiliations 1.
Centro Universitario de la Defensa - Academia General Militar Description LEGAL REVIEW Brox Sáenz de la Calzada, Alicia Ginebra. “Procesos de paz y reconstrucción política en el Sahel: el papel de las mujeres ante la violencia sexual.” Boletín CODESEL, vol. 2, no. 8, April 2026, ISSN-e: 3045-7750. The article presents a deeply contextualized and normatively rich analysis of post-conflict reconstruction in the Sahel, with a particular focus on the role of women in addressing and overcoming conflict-related sexual violence. Situated at the intersection of International Humanitarian Law, peacebuilding studies, and gender-oriented security frameworks, the study offers a comprehensive perspective on how structural violence, social fragmentation, and institutional fragility converge in one of the most unstable regions of the contemporary international system. At its core, the article identifies a critical dimension often underestimated in legal and strategic analyses of armed conflict: the persistence and transformation of violence beyond the battlefield. The Sahel is described as a region marked by overlapping conflicts, mass displacement, and a shrinking humanitarian space, all of which contribute to the intensification of sexual violence as both a tactic of war and a mechanism of social control . This framing is particularly relevant from a legal standpoint, as it situates sexual violence not merely as an incidental byproduct of conflict but as a phenomenon with potential qualification as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and serious violations of International Humanitarian Law. A significant contribution of the article lies in its emphasis on the multidimensional consequences of sexual violence. The author convincingly demonstrates that its effects extend beyond individual victimization, encompassing social stigmatization, economic marginalization, and long-term barriers to reintegration. This broader understanding aligns with contemporary developments in international law, particularly within the jurisprudence of international criminal tribunals and the normative evolution of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. The article highlights how victims often face dual stigmatization: first as survivors of sexual violence and second through their perceived association with armed groups, thereby compounding their exclusion from post-conflict societies . From a political and institutional perspective, the article provides a detailed account of regional and local initiatives aimed at fostering peace and reconstruction. The analysis of the G5 Sahel framework and its associated mechanisms illustrates both the potential and the limitations of regional cooperation in addressing complex security challenges. The creation of the Joint Force of the Sahel and the parallel development of gender-focused initiatives, such as the Women’s Platform within the G5 structure, reflect an attempt to integrate security, governance, and gender considerations into a coherent strategy. However, the eventual dissolution of the G5 Sahel highlights the fragility of such institutional arrangements and the difficulties of sustaining coordinated responses in volatile environments. The article’s treatment of the Women, Peace and Security agenda constitutes one of its most valuable contributions. By examining initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in decision-making processes, military structures, and peace negotiations, the study underscores the strategic importance of gender inclusion in achieving sustainable peace. The reference to empirical evidence indicating that women within security forces can access information and establish trust with local populations more effectively than their male counterparts provides a compelling argument for their expanded role in conflict resolution and stabilization efforts . In addition to its regional analysis, the article offers a focused case study of Mali, which serves as a paradigmatic example of the challenges and opportunities associated with post-conflict reconstruction. The historical overview of peace processes in Mali reveals the central role of civil society, particularly women’s organizations, in mediating conflicts and promoting reconciliation. The emergence of a dense network of women-led associations following the democratic transition of the early 1990s is presented as a key factor in shaping the country’s capacity for resilience and social cohesion. This perspective is further reinforced by the discussion of contemporary initiatives, such as leadership training programs and gender-focused governance projects, which aim to empower women as agents of change in both civilian and military domains . From a doctrinal standpoint, the article implicitly engages with the broader legal framework governing post-conflict reconstruction, including the obligations of States under International Humanitarian Law, international human rights law, and United Nations Security Council resolutions on women, peace, and security. Although the analysis does not focus explicitly on treaty interpretation, it reflects a coherent understanding of the normative environment in which these processes unfold, particularly with regard to the protection of civilians, accountability for gender-based violence, and the promotion of inclusive governance. A particularly noteworthy aspect of the article is its integration of legal analysis with sociopolitical dynamics. By highlighting the role of women not only as victims but also as active participants in peacebuilding, the study challenges traditional narratives that marginalize their contribution to security and reconstruction. This dual perspective is essential for understanding the full scope of post-conflict transformation, as it recognizes that sustainable peace requires not only the cessation of hostilities but also the reconstruction of social relations and institutional legitimacy. The article represents a significant contribution to the interdisciplinary study of conflict, law, and reconstruction. Its integration of legal, political, and social perspectives provides a robust analytical framework for understanding the complexities of post-conflict environments in the Sahel. By foregrounding the role of women in addressing sexual violence and promoting peace, the study not only enriches the doctrinal debate but also offers valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners engaged in the design and implementation of peacebuilding strategies. 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Versions External resources Indexed in OpenAIRE Communities Keywords and subjects Keywords Peacebuilding Human security Social cohesion Conflict resolution Security policy Post-conflict reconstruction Social Behavior Conflict studies Governance Legal analysis Peace studies Strategic studies Development studies EuroSciVoc Gender equality Armed conflicts Governance Civil society Sexual violence International law Gender studies Human rights Human rights violations Human rights law GEMET War Jurisprudence Risk assessment International law Public international law Human rights MeSH Gender Equity/legislation & jurisprudence Armed Conflicts Armed Conflicts/ethics Armed Conflicts/trends Armed Conflicts/prevention & control Armed Conflicts/legislation & jurisprudence Warfare and Armed Conflicts Warfare and Armed Conflicts/ethics Warfare and Armed Conflicts/trends Violence Violence/trends Gender-Based Violence Violence/legislation & jurisprudence Women Public Policy Jurisprudence Internationality Internationality/legislation & jurisprudence Risk Assessment International Law Human Rights Human Rights Abuses Human Rights/ethics Human Rights/trends Human Rights/legislation & jurisprudence Human Rights Abuses/ethics Details DOI DOI Badge DOI 10.5281/zenodo.19680580 Markdown [](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19680580) reStructuredText .. image:: https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.19680580.svg :target: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19680580 HTML <a href="https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19680580"><img src="https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.19680580.svg" alt="DOI"></a> Image URL https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.19680580.svg Target URL https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19680580 Resource type Journal article Publisher CODESEL Published in Boletín CODESEL, 2(8), 67-69, ISSN: 3045-7750, 2026. Languages Spanish Rights License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International The Creative Commons Attribution license allows re-distribution and re-use of a licensed work on the condition that the creator is appropriately credited. Read more Citation Export Technical metadata Created April 21, 2026 Modified April 21, 2026 Jump up About About Policies Infrastructure Principles Projects Roadmap Contact Blog Blog Support Help FAQ Developers REST API OAI-PMH Contribute GitHub Donate Funded by Powered by CERN Data Centre & InvenioRDM Status Privacy policy Cookie policy Terms of Use This site uses cookies. Find out more on how we use cookies Accept all cookies Accept only essential cookies