Drawing on historical and contemporary case studies, Gender and the Violence(s) of War and Armed Conflict delves into visual as well as text-based materials to unpack gender-based violence(s) perpetrated and experienced by both sexes within and beyond the conflict zone.
Considering examples of ‘old’ and ‘new’ wars ranging from the Holocaust, the 1971 Liberation War in Bangladesh; and the armed conflicts in the DRC, Iraq, Syria and Darfur, this book uncovers sexualized, genocidal and reproductive violence against both sexes. Crucially, the author showcases examples of male victimization, and thus redresses gaps within the literature. In particular, as part of a broader and original gendered analysis of the ‘war on terror,’ Banwell unpacks women’s involvement in sexual violence against male prisoners at Abu Ghraib.
The book makes an innovative contribution to the literature by going beyond instances of interpersonal violence, looking additionally at structural forms of gender-based violence, state violence and institutional violence. Broadening our understanding of both the causes and consequences of modern conflicts, Banwell also traces the relationship between climate variability, extreme weather events and gender-based violence(s). Through her critique of gender essentialism, she challenges gendered notions of who ‘is dangerous’ and who is ‘in danger’ during armed conflict. Eclectic in its approach, and multi-disciplinary in scope, Banwell’s text is illuminating reading for academics, students and professionals working with war-affected populations
