Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War? Perceptions, Prescriptions, Problems in the Congo and Beyond

All too often in conflict situations, rape is referred to as a 'weapon of war' a term presented as somehow self-explanatory through its implied universalized storyline of gender and warring. In this provocative but much-needed book, Baaz and Stern critically engage with dominant understandings of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings. Based on original empirical research in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as research material from other conflict zones, it explores and problematises the notion of sexual violence as a strategy of war.In doing so, the authors emphasize the importance of context and the multiplicity of factors involved in gender-based violence, such as the nature of civilian-military relations. Controversially, they challenge the new prominence given to sexual violence in international reports and by donor agencies, instead arguing it is misleading to isolate sexual violence from other aspects of conflict.A much-anticipated book by two acknowledged experts in the field, on an issue that has become an increasingly important security and legal topic.

Maria Eriksson Baaz is Associate Professor at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg and a senior researcher at the Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.

Maria Stern is Professor in Peace and Development Studies at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg.

1. Introduction2. Sex/Gender Violence3. Rape as a Weapon of war?4. The Messiness and Uncertainty of Warring5. Postcoloniality, Victimacy and Humanitarian Engagement: The Problems of Being a Good Global Feminist6. Concluding Thoughts and Unanswered Questions