Should We See the Masculine Everywhere? Feminist Theories to the Test of the Law of Peace and International Security

Abstract

In a seminal paper published in 1991 under the title of «Feminist Approaches to International Law» Hillary Charlesworth, Christine Chinkin and Shelley Wright denounced international law as a «Thoroughly gendered system». These authors in fact believe that male domination can be detected both in content and in the structure of a whole series of rules of international law. This paper tests this hypothesis with regard to the discourse and rules of the law of peace and international security. On analysis, especially with regard to Resolution 1325 (2000) and its sequels, feminist theories appear as an engine of rhetorical change, and in addition, in the longer term, practical. On the other hand, these theories show some limitations when they seek to denounce, beyond their denunciation of the violation of the individual rights of women, and into the «masculinity» of rules that constitute the law against war.

Keywords

• Feminisme, Résolution 1325, Droit de la paix et de la sécurité internationale - Domination masculine