The Role of Womens in Indigenous Conflict Resolution: The Case of Dokko Community in Gamo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

This study examines the role of women in indigenous conflict resolution in the Dokko community of Gamo Zone. It assesses the effectiveness of women in the process of conflict resolution mechanism among the community indigenous conflicts. To this based on qualitative research approach, data was obtained from the village leaders, elders, women mediators (peacekeepers), conflict mediators through interviews by purposive technique approach. The viewpoints of respondents on woman's role in conflict resolution revealed that, women's were performing vital roles in all the stages such as pre, in-between and post in the conflict resolution settlement process. They are playing dual roles in the entire process of conflict settlement as a chief mediator as well as a pleading person for both disagreeing parties of family members to prevent enmity and reduce conflict escalation among the parties. Furthermore, this study found that women acts a major role in the conflict settlement process of offering food for celebrating at the end of conflict settlement, dictating stories, singing songs, reading poetry and say proverbs for portraying the importance of peace and reconciliation among the community disputes.