Social justice and women’s work in a post-conflict context: Understanding the role of women in social reproduction and its effect on their employment and productivity

This brief examines the interplay between social justice and women’s work in post-conflict settings, focusing on the impact of women’s social reproduction roles on their employment and productivity. It highlights how physical, emotional, and psychological depletion—exacerbated by post-conflict rebuilding efforts—restricts women’s capacity for paid work and economic participation. The analysis underscores the critical role of institutional actors, including governments and employers, in fostering gender equality through targeted policies, social dialogue, and supportive workplace practices. It also advocates for a nuanced, household-centered approach to understanding women’s economic contributions, recognizing the blurred boundaries between paid and unpaid work and the complex interplay of social, cultural, and institutional factors in these settings. The brief calls for further research to design effective interventions that empower women and advance social justice in post-conflict economies.