WUNRN
International Center for
Transitional Justice
Women & Transitional Justice
Transitional justice refers to the set of judicial and non-judicial measures that have been implemented by different countries in order to redress the legacies of massive human rights abuses. These measures include criminal prosecutions, truth commissions, reparations programs, and various kinds of institutional reforms.
ICTJ’s gender justice program seeks to promote truth,
justice and accountability for gender-based human rights violations committed
in the context of large-scale or systematic abuse. en in the
Gender-based violence is often a common element of
conflict and authoritarian regimes. In these contexts, impunity for violations
against women is pervasive. At the same time, women are often absent or
underrepresented in efforts to address such abuse.
Despite increased international attention to the gender
dimensions of conflict, gender justice concerns have yet to be integrated in
many transitional justice initiatives. Recent examples of truth commission
mandates, judicial opinions, and reparations programs have shown little regard
for the distinct and complex nature of gender-based violations.
Recent developments in international law on gender-based
violations and resolutions (such as UN Security Council Resolution 1325, 1820, 1888 on women, peace
and security) have strengthened the international community’s commitment to
combating these crimes. However, despite these advances, there has been limited
success in prosecuting crimes of gender violence at the domestic or
international level.
What Role Can Transitional Justice
Play?
Transitional justice mechanisms offer a means to pursue
gender justice by revealing gendered patterns of abuse, enhancing access to justice,
and building momentum for reform.
Transitional justice mechanisms can assist gender
activists to challenge structural causes of gender inequality, by publicly
acknowledging the factors that made such abuse possible. Recommendations made
by truth commissions
and reparations
initiatives can challenge discriminatory practices that contribute to women’s
vulnerability during repression and conflict.
Transitional justice mechanisms also offer women
opportunities to participate in and influence peace-building processes. This
can be achieved by ensuring participation of women’s rights groups and victims
in shaping and monitoring transitional justice processes.
ICTJ’s Role
ICTJ works to ensure that women’s voices infuse every
aspect of transitional justice, and that women have the skills and knowledge
they need to meaningfully participate in transitional justice initiatives.
Our research aims to provide new insights into how the
gender dynamics of conflict can be addressed by transitional justice. For
example, we have examined how sexual minorities are specifically targeted for human
rights violations by state actors and armed groups, and how often these victims
are invisible in transitional justice processes.
We give technical support to gender activists on the
ground, and seek to strengthen their policy influence by linking them to a
global transitional justice network.
· We support local women’s groups to influence transitional justice processes. We provide them with the knowledge and tools they need to do their work. In 2011, we will run workshops on transitional justice for local women’s activists throughout the MENA region.
· We bring activists together to learn, share ideas and
strategies. In 2010, we connected women activists from across the African Great
Lakes region at a workshop to discuss transitional justice opportunities and
challenges in their countries. Activists used this opportunity to strategize on
their engagement in the [ICC Review Conference] in
· We advise policymakers on implementing gender justice initiatives. In 2007, we worked with the Liberian Truth Commission to help draft their gender policy.
· We share examples of transitional justice in other countries to help craft policies and procedures to address gender-based violence. For example, ICTJ has shared lessons learned from the Peru,Sierra Leone and Timor-Leste truth commission experiences with women’s groups and policymakers in Liberia and Nepal. This information was then used to help draft truth commission policies and legislation.
· We research and analyze global
processes to address gender justice. We have developed resource materials to
share this expertise with others, including country case studies and an
operational handbook on truth commissions.
