This article focuses on women and peace-building in Solomon Islands and the effect of law, theory and practical circumstances on their role. It examines the place of Solomon Islands women in society historically, with particular reference to war and peace: their current status from a legal perspective, looking at the existing Constitution, the proposed Federal Constitution and relevant aspects of international law: whether gender equity provisions are sufficient to promote participation at a practical level. The article discusses the effectiveness of international, regional and local initiatives, designed to enhance the status of women.
Contains: a paper -based on a lecture- by Charlesworth examining the way that women's relationship to peace is constructed in international institutions and international law, and two commentaries on Charlesworth's text. Kouvo and Levine argue that wars and peace processes are inherently gendered affairs and as a consequence a focus on equality as a basis for women's participation in peace processes remains challenging. Lockett describes strategies used by women's organisations internationally to ensure their participation, voice and rights and argues that both a human rights approach and a gender analysis are required in approaching peace-building.