Common ground?

Gendered assessment of the needs and concerns of Maoist army combatants for rehabilitation and reintegration

Following the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in November 2006 which ended a 10-year long conflict between the Government of Nepal and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), political consensus on key issues outlined in the CPA, including the rehabilitation of Maoist Army combatants into civilian life and/or integration into state security agencies, is yet to be achieved. It is critical that the rehabilitation and integration processes are implemented in a conflict-sensitive way that does not undermine the peace process and responds equally to the different needs of male and female (former and current) combatants, as well as those of different groups within the community - including men and women and different age, caste and ethnic groups.  

Between February and August 2010, Saferworld undertook research on the different priorities, needs and concerns of male and female Maoist Army combatants for rehabilitation and integration. The research aimed to support the development and implementation of successful and sustainable gender - and conflict-sensitive - policy and programming for the rehabilitation and integration of combatants, and the broader peace process.

Research was undertaken in and around five cantonments where Maoist Army combatants are based, and in communities to which former combatants have returned. Primary research was qualitative and involved focus group discussions with current and former combatants and communities, one-to-one semi-structured interviews with current and former combatants, and in-depth interviews with a range of actors at a local and national level, including community leaders, civil society representatives, security agencies, representatives from relevant government ministries, political parties, the private sector and the international community.    

The report is primarily aimed at Nepali policy makers responsible for rehabilitation and reintegration of Maoist Army combatants in Nepal and members of the international community who are supporting this process.