Transitional Justice

Transitional justice refers to the short-term, often temporary judicial and non-judicial mechanisms that address the legacy of human rights abuses and violence during a society’s transition from conflict or authoritarian rule. Structures such as international tribunals, truth commissions or local processes seek to expose the perpetrators of crimes and abuse, provide a forum for acknowledgement and accountability, establish an historical record and collective memory and promote societal reconciliation.

These processes are vital components of post-conflict reconstruction and a prerequisite to unification and peace. Given the widespread victimization of women during armed conflict, transitional justice is of particular concern to them. In addition to their own need for justice, many women are key actors in conducting healing and reconciliation processes, noting their concern for their children’s future as a strong motivating factor.

On an international level, over 300 organizations supported the work of the Women’s Caucus for Gender Justice during the design of the International Criminal Court and its statutes. The presence of and advocacy by these organizations have led to several advances in international law; chief among them is the explicit recognition of rape as a war crime.

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