Defence of Rakel Oion Encina’s doctoral thesis: “Policies on gender equality and equity in the context of armed conflict and peace in Colombia (1990-2018)”

Rakel Oion Encina defended her thesis on Monday 27 July at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication (University of the Basque Country, EHU), in Leioa: Policies on gender equality and equity in the context of armed conflict and peace in Colombia (1990-2018).

The newly awarded doctorate holder began her professional career in international cooperation and development education in 1990. She has been a lecturer at the EHU since 2010 and currently works in the Department of Sociology and Social Work. 

She completed the PhD Programme in Development Studies and her thesis, affiliated with the Hegoa Institute, was supervised by Irantzu Mendia Azkue. The examination board consisted of Jose Fernando Serrano Amaya (University of the Andes), Paula Duarte Lopes (University of Coimbra) and Ainhoa Novo Arbona (EHU). The grade awarded was Outstanding, with eligibility for the award of the Cum Laude distinction.

Summary of the thesis

Rakel Oion’s doctoral thesis analyses the evolution of gender equity and equality policies in Colombia in relation to the armed conflict and peacebuilding, across seven legislative terms between 1990 and 2018. The research focuses on the following issues:

• exploring the connection between these policies and international standards and policies on women, conflict and peace;

• examining how the Colombian government has integrated issues relating to the armed conflict and the peace process through its lead equality body;

• identifying the ways in which the Colombian women’s and feminist movement has participated in their design and implementation and, specifically, its capacity to influence the inclusion of issues relating to conflict and peace; and

• examining the role of international cooperation in public policy planning on gender equality and equity and its impact on the advancement of women’s rights within the context of the armed conflict and the Colombian peace process.

See the thesis section of this website.