ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides students, security community members and the general public an overview of the multiple, interdependent issues related to the Women, Peace, and Security global agenda. It presents the case that gender-equality issues are in fact security issues and the differences and similarities behind economic and social gender disparities in patrilineal, honor/shame societies, and in developed countries, both for clarification, and provides a basis for policy discussions. The book presents an overview of the non-security-conflict aspects of violence against women, and proposes the pervasiveness of violence against women and how violence is used to maintain male-dominated social structures. It addresses three issues encountered by civilian women in conflict zones: rape as a weapon of war; the effects of war on women when forced to become primary caregivers for extended families; and specific issues related to refugees.
