Date of Award

Fall 5-23-2026

Degree Type

Honors Thesis

Major

Politics

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Political Science

First Advisor

Brian A. Weiner

Abstract

This thesis examines the position of international decision-making bodies in decreasing the high percentage of women who have experienced or are currently experiencing acts of gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through an analysis of what decision-making bodies are known as the most crucial in terms of addressing the global security issue of gender-based violence, this thesis ultimately concludes that peacekeeping as a decision-making entity is the most effective in the mission of eradicating gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The literature review identifies three primary scholarly debates within peacekeeping studies concerning women’s representation, highlighting the gaps between initial commitments and the outcomes that followed. The research findings include a comparative cross-sectional analysis of case studies from Brazil and Ukraine. Both country case studies were chosen for their time periods, forms of gender-based violence, and their locations globally. These comparisons, utilized with the analysis of the primary setting of the Democratic Republic of Congo, further prove how varying levels of women’s representation in global decision-making institutions shape both the overall importance and reporting of gender-based violence. Ultimately, this thesis concludes that without substantial inclusion of women in peacekeeping processes, efforts to prevent gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo will continue to remain an issue.

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