Research on Colombian peace accord shows that addressing gender issues strengthens peace agreements
When it comes to peace processes and negotiations, U.N. Women highlights a stark reality: All too often, women remain invisible and excluded. But a new study by University of Notre Dame political scientist Madhav Joshi draws on evidence from Colombia to show that addressing gender-related issues helps peace agreements succeed.
Gender-inclusive peacebuilding: lessons from Colombia
The study, published in Policy Studies Journal, is the first peer-reviewed research that examines Notre Dame’s ongoing work to monitor the Colombian peace accord. It has implications for strengthening peace agreements as well as the women, peace and security agenda that was inspired by a landmark U.N. resolution more than two decades ago.
"When you prioritize gender, you end up addressing the broader society's needs."
“An inclusive approach that sees women as changemakers and addresses gender-specific concerns empowers other marginalized groups and cultivates meaningful buy-in from more people,” said Joshi, research professor and associate director of the Peace Accords Matrix, part of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs. “When you prioritize gender, you end up addressing the broader society’s needs.”
Monitoring progress on Columbia's peace agreement

The study is a natural progression for Notre Dame researchers. Since the 2016 Colombian peace agreement ended 50 years of conflict, the Peace Accords Matrix has had primary responsibility for technical verification and for monitoring the implementation of the agreement through its Barometer Initiative.
In his latest research, Joshi analyzed monthly monitoring data for provisions outlined in the Colombian accord. He examined approximately 70 reforms and programs designed to support more than 570 key stipulations in the agreement.
Joshi found that a higher implementation status for gender-related measures (for instance, identifying obstacles that kept women from voting) was related to the agreement’s overall success rate.
Investing in safeguards for gender provisions
Importantly, Joshi also confirmed that negotiators must invest the resources needed to overcome resistance.
"Gender measures and women's mobilization are not sufficient without proper safegaurds to ensure their implementation."
When he examined stipulations in the Colombian agreement, he found that the implementation of gender-specific provisions lagged behind the implementation of gender-neutral ones. This indicates a level of societal resistance to changing norms, Joshi said, and the need for policymakers to invest in safeguards.
“This study highlights that gender measures and women’s mobilization are not sufficient without proper safeguards to ensure their implementation,” Joshi said. “But with the necessary support, they will succeed and strengthen peace agreements. And the resulting quality of peace could be really impactful, particularly for transitioning societies such as Colombia.”
Advancing women, peace, and security debates
Joshi said the study provides data and methods that other researchers can draw upon as they build on this work.
“My research will advance women, peace and security debates in peace processes,” Joshi said. “This study will help researchers identify factors that help or hinder women’s inclusion in peacebuilding.”
Joshi’s support team for the study included research assistants Clare Barloon, a 2024 Notre Dame graduate who majored in global affairs and art history, and Grace Sullivan, a sophomore majoring in global affairs and minoring in peace studies and gender studies. Jenna Sapiano, a specialist on women, peace and security and a visiting fellow at the Keough School’s Kroc Institute, provided feedback to help guide the study.
The Peace Accords Matrix Barometer Initiative in Colombia received funding from the U.S. Department of State, Humanity United, the U.N. Multi-Partner Trust Fund and the European Union.
Learn More
- Madhav Joshi's research & biography
- The Peace Accords Matrix and Barometer Initiative
- Read the full study: Does the implementation status of gender provisions affect the implementation of a peace agreement? Evidence from Colombia's 2016 peace agreement implementation process
Originally published by keough.nd.edu on December 20, 2024.
atLatest Research
- University of Notre Dame and IBM Research build tools for AI governanceMain Building (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame) …
- Smarter tools for policymakers: Notre Dame researchers target urban carbon emissions, building by buildingCarbon emissions continue to increase at record levels, fueling climate instability and worsening air quality conditions for billions in cities worldwide. Yet despite global commitments to carbon neutrality, urban policymakers still struggle to implement effective mitigation strategies at the city scale. Now, researchers at Notre Dame’s School of Architecture, the College of Engineering and the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society are working to reduce carbon emissions through advanced simulations and a novel artificial intelligence-driven tool, EcoSphere.
- Seven engineering faculty named collegiate professorsSeven faculty members in the Notre Dame College of Engineering have been named collegiate professors—a prestigious title awarded by the university and college in recognition of excellence in research, teaching and service. The designation may be conferred on faculty at the assistant, associate or…
- ‘A special challenge’: German studies scholar wins National Humanities Center fellowship for research on medieval womenFor CJ Jones, the joy of research is not the answers but the journey. And the next step on that journey is a fellowship with the National Humanities Center. …
- Notre Dame Lead Innovation Team partners with local WIC program to identify, prevent lead poisoning in childrenB.A.B.E. store “shoppers” now have something new to help their families: free lead screening kits offered by the University of Notre Dame’s Lead Innovation Team.
- Notre Dame Welcomes Ninth Cohort of Warrior-Scholars for Transformative Academic JourneyNOTRE DAME, IN – The University of Notre Dame recently concluded its ninth successful Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) boot camp, hosting 34 dedicated Warrior-Scholars from June 21st to 28th. This intensive, week-long academic residency provided transitioning service members and veterans…