Sexuellt våld mot kvinnor i krig och konflikter
En analys av Bosnienkriget och Kongo
Sexual violence in armed conflict is not a new phenomenon. Although it has a long history, it's only in recent years from 1990 that is has been given more attention in science and media. I will in my thesis look at the conflicts of former Yugoslavia and Congo (DRC) and I will use two theories to investigate how the use of conflict-related sexual violence best can be explained. The two theoretical frameworks I have chosen are Feminist theory and Rational Choice theory. The conflicts will be at the center of analysis. My aim is to create an awareness of the problem with sexual violence in war and conflict. Feminist theory claims that environment and upbringing are important factors for the creation of gender. Gender is a social and cultural construct. Rational Choice argues that human beings are rational and make decisions that promote self-interest and minimize their own losses. My conclusion is that the social and cultural constructions which, among other things, created a patriarchal society for a long time in both conflicts. Along with traditional family values, this is a strong reason that sexual violence against women occurred during the conflicts. Another reason is the fighting for resources where sexual violence became a means to an end.