Youth and Women as Agents of Reconciliation and Social Transformation in Intractable Conflict Contexts

Abstract

Conflict has always been a part of human society for as long as anyone remember, often for resources, power or even base on beliefs system, these tension have often led to cycles of violence that don’t just destroy infrastructure but the very fabric of communities. Intractable conflict are often characterised by deep-rooted grievances, identity based division and prolonged cycles of violence that pose significant challenges to reconciliation, social cohesion and collective well-being.   Traditionally, we have looked up to people in power such as government leaders and politician to bring about peace and restore normality in the society, however there has also been an increasing recognition of the critical yet under-examined role of youth and women in fostering reconciliation and social transformation in conflict-affected societies. The paper conceptually examine the contribution of youth and women in peacebuilding process and reconciliation, particularly in contexts marked by protracted and intractable conflict.  The paper explores secondary literature, international policy frameworks, and real life documented case illustrations, by adopting a qualitative, conceptual approach informed by conflict transformation and participatory peacebuilding perspectives. It explores how youth and women engage in not just visible grassroots peace initiatives, community reconciliation efforts, and informal negotiation spaces they also often addressed psychosocial dimensions such as collective trauma, identity, trust-building, and resilience. The paper also critically analyses the structural, cultural, and political barriers that constrain youth and women’s meaningful participation in formal peace processes. The paper concludes by considering the implications of these findings for peacebuilding initiatives in regions marked by similar dynamics, such as Northeast India.