Reinventing conflict prevention?: Women and the prevention of the reemergence of conflict in Burundi

Based on interviews conducted in Burundi with representatives of women's groups, and in light of existing knowledge on conflict prevention and peacebuilding in divided societies, the article critically examines national and international efforts to prevent a re-emergence of the conflict. It argues that conflict prevention initiatives led by women's groups, though often overlooked and sidelined, could provide important insights for improving operational conflict prevention models. Through their multilevel, low-key, inclusive, and versatile activities, Burundian women's organizations challenge and complement conventional operational conflict prevention practices that are often ill-suited to the needs of intrastate conflicts.