Childhood After the Battlefield: Does Gender Matter in Shaping Opportunities for Post-Conflict Futures?

This paper explores the puzzling question of why child soldiers provisions are overlooked or effectively addressed in peace agreements. By examining a across-case comparison between four rebel groups in the Americas, the paper analyzes the relationship between women’s activity in rebel groups and their influence on the issue of child soldiers in peace agreements. The hypothesis suggests that rebel groups with a high participation of women in leadership positions are more likely to address child soldiers in peace agreements. The empirical findings reveal mixed outcomes with the hypothesis being supported in some of the observed cases but no definite causal relationship can be established. Despite the lack of support for the hypothesis, the emerging body of literature demonstrating the positive impact of women on peacebuilding underscores the importance of further exploring gendered perspectives. Continued research in this area is essential to foster collective approaches toward fostering sustainable and inclusive peacebuilding.