ABSTRACT
Feminist scholars of International Relations (IR) are increasingly focusing their attention on the workings of political institutions, and as the contributors to this volume affirm, no meaningful understanding of (any) institution can be had without also asking about the relationship between power, institutions, and gender. In fact, it has been feminist scholars that have persistently worked to reveal the complexities of gender, and have illustrated myriad ways in which powerful institutions dictate how it is practised. This chapter explores the role that gender plays in paramilitary organizations (POs) and why it is important to consider gender and power when trying to understand paramilitary groups.
