斯德哥尔摩国际和平研究所-Strategies-for-Including-Women-s-and-LGBTI-Groups-in-the-Colombian-Peace-Process_28页_378kb

报告摘要

Strategies for Including Women's and LGBTI Groups in the Colombian Peace Process

I. Core Content

This paper explores the role of civil society, particularly women's and LGBTI groups, in the Colombian peace process (2012–2016) through the lens of Track II diplomacy. It argues that while formal peace negotiations (Track I) often exclude marginalized groups, Track II and Track III initiatives provide a platform for these groups to influence the peace process and shape its outcomes. The focus is on how Track II mechanisms, such as consultations and public decision-making, enabled civil society to contribute to a more inclusive peace agreement.

The paper outlines a framework for assessing conflict-resolution and negotiation strategies, adapted from I. William Zartman and Maureen R. Berman, to analyze the specific strategies, challenges, and opportunities faced by women's and LGBTI groups in their efforts to be included in the peace process. It also highlights the importance of civil society participation in enhancing the legitimacy and durability of peace agreements, particularly in addressing gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive rights, and LGBTI rights.

II. Main Points

1. Inclusive Peace Processes

A peace process is a structured mechanism for negotiating peace, and inclusion of civil society groups is critical for ensuring the legitimacy and sustainability of peace outcomes.
Inclusion is not just about representation but also about shaping the content of peace agreements and promoting transformative reforms.
Civil society groups, including women's and LGBTI organizations, play a vital role in advocacy, awareness, and policy influence.

2. Track II and III Diplomacy

Track II involves civil society actors with national presence, often in urban areas, and is seen as a way to enlarge the number of actors involved in peace processes.
Track III focuses on grassroots engagement and has a significant impact on local peacebuilding.
Track II can feed into Track I processes, supporting them through dialogue, mediation, and strategic input.

3. The Role of Women's and LGBTI Groups

These groups have historically been marginalized in peace processes, yet they have played a crucial role in raising awareness and shaping the gender perspective in peace agreements.
Their inclusion has been instrumental in mainstreaming gender issues and ensuring broader representation in the peace process.
The paper emphasizes the need for a more expansive understanding of gender that includes non-binary identities and non-heterosexual orientations.

III. Key Strategies

Mapping the issue: Understanding the conflict, its actors, and the context is essential for effective negotiation.
Framing and communication: Civil society groups used normative arguments and mutualizing strategies to influence the peace process.
Designing solutions: Groups proposed specific reforms and participated in public decision-making to ensure their voices were heard.

IV. Challenges and Opportunities

1. Challenges

Underrepresentation: Despite the UN's emphasis on women's participation, women remain under-represented in peace processes.
Heteronormative assumptions: The WPS agenda often overlooks the intersectional concerns of LGBTI groups, leading to neglect in peace processes.
Limited access: The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 restricted travel and access to indigenous groups, limiting their participation in research.
Identity issues: Different identities (e.g., urban vs. rural, collective vs. individual rights) affect how groups organize and strategize for inclusion.

2. Opportunities

Track II initiatives: Enabled greater engagement and influence on peace negotiations.
Collaboration: Women's and LGBTI groups collaborated with each other and with human rights organizations to push for inclusive policies.
International support: Peace practitioners from abroad supported local initiatives, creating space for broader civic engagement.
Policy influence: The 1991 constitution and subsequent international treaties provided legal and political tools for civil society to advocate for gender and sexual rights.

V. Historical Context

1982–1986 (Betancur administration): Women's groups first participated in peace talks with FARC-EP and other rebel groups.
1998–2002 (Pastrana administration): Women's participation reached a peak, with large-scale mobilization in El Caguán.
2002–2010 (Uribe administration): Civil society involvement declined due to militarized approaches to conflict.
2012–2016 (Santos administration): Women's and LGBTI groups reengaged through Track II initiatives, contributing to a more inclusive agreement.

VI. Implications

The Colombian peace process serves as a successful model for how marginalized groups can leverage Track II to influence peace negotiations.
The paper calls for a rethinking of the WPS agenda to include LGBTI perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of gender.
Future research should examine Track III initiatives to better understand the interactions between local and national actors in peace processes.

VII. Conclusion

The inclusion of women's and LGBTI groups in peace processes is not just a moral imperative, but a practical necessity for achieving inclusive and durable peace.
Civil society groups, especially through Track II diplomacy, have played a crucial role in shaping the gender perspective and LGBTI rights in the Colombian peace agreement.
The framework and strategies discussed in this paper offer insights for other peace processes seeking to mainstream marginalized voices.