Peacebuilding in Lebanon Using a “Serious” Game Intervention
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Authors
Gunther, Christina
Issue Date
2014-03-28
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Keywords
International affairs , Faculty research day , Game intervention , Lebanon
Alternative Title
Abstract
A cultural acceptance of violence within a society permeates attainable conflict resolution strategies. Violence in Lebanon is rampant due to the neighboring war in Syria, divided alliances, recent assassinations and a state of unresolved transitional peace after decades of civil war. Domestic violence, therefore, does not garner significant attention yet plays a substantial part in creating culturally accepted violence. Because of the current crises, it is incumbent upon non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide services that promote peaceful resolutions in domestic violence situations.Violence against women leaves an entire segment of the population vulnerable when examined through the prism of the Human Security paradigm. The microcosm of security of the individual is often confined to the narrative, although collectively, violence of individuals and community has commanded a more nuanced analysis. The responsibility of states to define intimate partner violence as a human rights abuse and human security issue, as defined by the 1979 Convention to Eliminate Discrimination against Women and the 1993 United Nations Declaration to Eliminate Violence against Women is required in order for this type of violence to gain peaceful resolution. The specific aims of this research are to provide an educational tool for non-governmental organizations to mitigate the effects of violence against women through peace promotion and education in lieu of state intervention. Theprevalence of gender based violence in Lebanon has been reported to be up to 35% (Usta, et al, 2007) although actual statistics are unknown due to issues of underreporting. A macro-analysis of cultural norms created through the lens of peace psychology is analyzed as a possible indicator of cultural acceptance of intimate partner violence in Lebanon. To mitigate the effects of this cultural norm on the individual, the author developed a tool for practical therapeutic use in assisting women who are victims of gender based violence through a serious game intervention which may be used as an educational tool by NGOs to promote peaceful family relations. The implementation of human security measures for women in the Middle East will require a grass-roots effort based on therapeutic support for gender based violence victims. Positive results will have wider peace building implications.