ABSTRACT
Issues of power have long been central to political thinking. For theorists and activists concerned with analyses of power use and abuse, it has been shown that viewing the "political" by using the lens of gender analysis considerably broadens the field of politics. Feminist writers show that "malestream" accounts within political theory and political science are themselves political. Considering interventions through women's activism for peaceful community building ranges from local political interventions to international feminist analyses in administering peace (through women's integration into UN governance structures) and gaining justice in women's human rights. Feminist interventions in peace and security issues have noted the different ways of "making" peace with women working to "build" peace. Building peace implies something that has to be constructed and that will remain in place for some time. The political power of local women's organization, coupled with international feminist analyses, can help lead to global responsibility for an inclusive, just, and sustainable peace.
