Women’s Grassroots Peace Movements, Music, and Cultural Resistance in Conflict Zones

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 11, November 2026 | pp. 85–98

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001351

Article Type: Research Article

Title: Women’s Grassroots Peace Movements, Music, and Cultural Resistance in Conflict Zones

Names of Author: Amina Diallo-Kourouma¹, Diego Salazar², & Hannah O’Brien³

Author's Affiliation: ¹Department of Music and Performing Arts, University of Conakry, Conakry, Guinea; ²Faculty of Arts, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; ³Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.

Abstract:
Across protracted conflict zones, women’s grassroots peace movements frequently mobilize indigenous songs, communal lamentations, and rhythmic performance as non-violent instruments of political protest, trauma healing, and cross-community reconciliation. While mainstream security studies focus narrowly on formal ceasefire negotiations and armed actors, cultural expressions of female solidarity often succeed in de-escalating local tensions and challenging militarized masculinities where diplomatic talks falter. This paper explores how women’s musical collectives foster peacebuilding and social cohesion in West Africa and Colombia. Grounded in feminist peace theory and ethnomusicology, the study analyzes song lyrics, performance recordings, and oral history interviews with 38 female peace activists and traditional singers. We demonstrate that women’s musical resistance preserves collective memory of wartime survival while articulating a morally compelling vision of community accountability and non-violence.

Keywords: Women’s peace movements, musical resistance, feminist peace theory, ethnomusicology, conflict resolution, cultural memory, West Africa, Colombia

Manuscript Timeline: Received: September 25, 2026; Revised: October 24, 2026; Accepted: October 28, 2026; Published: November 16, 2026.

Citation: Diallo-Kourouma, A., Salazar, D., & O’Brien, H. (2026). Women’s Grassroots Peace Movements, Music, and Cultural Resistance in Conflict Zones. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(11), 85–98. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001351

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