Gender, Conflict and International Humanitarian Law - 9781138307704

Taylor & Francis

Gender, Conflict and International Humanitarian LawA critique of the 'principle of distinction'\nAuthor(s): Orly Maya Stern\nFormat: Hardback\nPublisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, United Kingdom\nImprint: Routledge\nISBN-13: 9781138307704, 978-1138307704\nSynopsis\nThis book conducts a gendered critique of the principle of distinction in international humanitarian law (IHL), with a focus on recent conflicts in Africa.\n\nThe principle of distinction is core to IHL, and regulates who can and cannot be targeted in armed conflict. It states that civilians may not be targeted in attack, while combatants and those civilians directly participating in hostilities can be. The law defines what it means to be a combatant and a civilian, and sets out what behaviour constitutes direct participation. Close examination of the origins of the principle reveals that IHL was based on a gendered view of conflict, which envisages men as fighters and women as victims of war. Problematically, this view of.