Analysis of Gendering Peace: The Role of Women in Africa’s Peacebuilding Processes in Guinea-Bissau: An African Perspective

This article critically examines the persistent marginalisation of women in formal peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau, despite their foundational role in sustaining community cohesion. It argues that dominant, androcentric models of peace and security systematically overlook women’s distinct contributions. Employing an African feminist theoretical lens, the study deconstructs ‘gendering peace’ and advances a paradigm integrating indigenous peacemaking traditions with contemporary governance theories. The methodology comprises a qualitative thematic analysis of specific national policy documents, including the 2023-2027 National Development Plan and the 2021 National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, alongside reports from civil society organisations such as the Women’s Political Platform and the Guinea-Bissau Women’s Network from 2021-2026. Through this analysis, the article demonstrates how women’s informal networks and economic collectives—such as *djumbai* forums and agricultural cooperatives—constitute a vital, under-theorised infrastructure for resilience. The central thesis contends that sustainable peace is inextricably linked to inclusive economic governance, and that women’s leadership in these spheres provides a critical model for participatory recovery. The framework’s significance lies in redirecting policy and scholarly focus towards Afro-centric, women-led peace architectures, advocating for their formal recognition within national and regional strategies to foster more holistic and durable outcomes.