Abstract

Are women inherently, naturally, pacifist? Have the various transformations undergone by the war (as well as by armies and armaments) somehow modified the role of women on the battlefield? Are women «typical» victims of the conflicts, because of their sexual specificities? Do women take part in the decision processes that lead to escalation or peaceful conflict resolution, as well as the post-war transitional processes? This essay will offer a brief survey of the feminist literature which has been reflecting on these questions, with the specific aim to identify the essential features of a feminist critique of the war.