Postconflict Sexual and Reproductive Health and Justice, Gendered Well-being, and Long-term Development

Abstract

Sexual and reproductive health and justice (SRHJ) is key to gender equality and an important component of any long-term development strategy for countries emerging from conflict and civil war. Girls and women are vulnerable to various sexual and reproductive risks, which are exacerbated in conflict contexts and can have both short- and long-term economic implications for them, their families, and their communities. Yet neoliberalism and patriarchal power structures prevent women’s economic well-being from being a priority when postconflict policies are designed. Applying a gender lens to postconflict policies, we illustrate why addressing reproductive justice in postconflict contexts is both a gender justice issue and a macroeconomic imperative, as well as providing concrete policy recommendations, including the imposition of a global arms tax, to fund postconflict SRHJ priorities. JEL Classification: O2, I1, B54