The Role of Women in Peacebuilding 
Peacebuilding is a controversial issue which needs to be discussed from various perspectives taking a lot of factors into consideration. The following paper focuses mainly on discussing the role of women in peacebuilding. Specifically, this work aims to compare the role of women in creating the peacebuilding strategies in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the key factors that influence these strategies.
Exploring Rwanda`s example, one may notice that peacebuilding had many ways of expressing in this country, and women played a significant role in this process. As such, it should be mentioned that Rwandese women played a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the country by implementing various successful initiatives. Moreover, they participated in activities which have led to the state`s empowerment and improvement of the Rwanda`s image in the world arena. Before the terrible genocide, Rwandese women worked as mechanics, engineers and taxi drives, and were involved in many other prestigious jobs. Thus, these women had the rights to vote for the important resettlement initiatives. What is more, a vast majority of Rwandese women worked as the constructors of the national resettlement program, Imidugudu which benefited the development of the country. Along with men, they have made a significant contribution to the country`s well-being. As for another important social role of Rwandan woman, one should talk about the householding. Taking the serious contemporary situation into consideration, women performed their basic humanitarian roles and helped the disadvantaged, orphans and refugees. Rwandese women were responsible for providing their families with enough food and other provision which could be achieved in several ways. Some of them worked on their farms; some women became the part of the national aid program, and some preferred to work hard to purchase some products. The women who grew the crops in the forests became the spies hiding from the enemies and learning the information beneficial for the country. Under the threat of death, these brave women provided the soldiers with the strategically important information. Some of them were particularly courageous, and they even managed to help their husbands and other relatives to escape and live a normal and peaceful life. The coordinate work of Rwandese women allowed them to demonstrate impressive achievements in peacebuilding sphere. What is more, taking the active peaceful position Rwandese women occupied a great number of seats in parliament and played a crucial role in drafting the country`s constitution. Without any doubts, the presence of women in parliament and their active participation in politics has played a significant role in the country`s peacebuilding processes.
Comparing to Rwanda, the women`s role in peacebuilding the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was less effective and almost unnoticed. Very few women possessed the rights to take the seats in parliament. Consequently, they could not define the political course of the country, as well as the Rwandan women did. However, possessing fewer rights, these women managed to play significant roles in humanitarian assistance and socio-economic development of the country. Therefore, their role in peacebuilding can be analyzed taking into account their efforts in medical assistance and counseling, as well as some other social spheres. Despite all the challenges, Congolese women provided their families with better living standards since they produced a vast majority of products working in agriculture sphere. Therefore, almost all the healthcare organizations were administrated by the Congolese women. It should me mentioned that the role of Congolese woman in society was defined my men, and their stereotypes of a woman`s place in society primarily.
Comparative Analysis
Comparing the role of woman in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo from the peacekeeping perspectives, one should admit that the female representatives of both countries played vitally important roles in this process. Obviously, the outcomes of their work in both countries were different, but it did not change the fact that their contribution to the development of social, political and economic spheres was enormous. In both countries, women considered their primary tasks in supporting their families, and they did it in various ways. Thus, all of them worked hard to raise their income or just earn enough money for food. Rwandese women managed to get the jobs previously available only for men. Thus, they could work as judges in the local courts and even actively participate in drafting the constitution. Despite all the hardships and challenges, they helped their families and the surrounding people. Unfortunately, the women from the Democratic Republic of Congo did not succeed in this sphere to such extent. Perhaps, it can be explained by the differences in countries` populations. It is evident that it is more difficult to take care of fifteen millions of people, rather than of three. A vast majority of Rwandese men left their homes and were killed in the bloody war. It made their women take both male and female responsibilities and provide the necessary care and support not only for their children but also for the orphans and many other victims of war. This has led to the fact that Rwandese women played a significant role in peacebuilding by leading their country to the progress. Although the Congolese men also died at war, they possessed a dominant position in society. The family code, as well as the ancient traditions, defined the woman`s place in society. Despite the fact that some women made the efforts to prove the equal rights with men, their attempts constantly failed. Although both countries had the similar attitudes towards the woman and her role in society, Rwandan women were more protected by the law while in DRC women were raped even by the soldiers and policemen. What is more, comparing both countries, one should also pay attention to their geographic location. Rwanda is a smaller country which has fewer national resources. Due to its smaller size, it also has less ethnic groups, so they find it easier to share one common idea. Thus, it allows concluding that comparing to Congolese women Rwandese succeeded in peacebuilding processes. The successful Rwandan model should become the example for DRC government. Indeed, the Democratic Republic of Congo has many perspectives on a global scale since it possesses a great number of natural resources. A wise usage of these resources will lead the country to the successful development. Therefore, securing the resources should become the number one priority for the country, and successful politics in this sphere will cause the improvement of woman`s role in society.
Conclusion
The in-depth analysis of the peacebuilding processes in both countries allows saying that it was a process of paramount importance both for Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwandese women had a lot of rights including the rights for getting a job and take the certain number of seats in the parliament. Although Rwandese women were more successful in this sphere, the DRC women also gained some opportunities and privileges to benefit the peacebuilding processes by supporting their families. As for the further recommendations, one should admit that the public attitude towards the place of women in society should change. Rwandese women should become an example for Congolese as the successful representation of peacebuilding initiatives. All in all, it is imperative for men to realize that women are the equal individuals and they can also play a significant role in determining the course of the country.
