A Gender Analysis Of The Transitional Justice Systems Of Rwanda And Sierra Leone

Abstract

As societies move from long periods of dictatorships and authoritarian regimes to democracy and from prolonged civil wars to peace, a question arises as to how should these societies should deal with the horrors of their past. But more importantly, as per the particular circumstances of each country’s history and transition, what mechanisms can bring justice to citizens, more specifically to women and to set the stage for sustainable peace and development? It will be argued that transitions provide opportunities to further gender justice, in particular through the implementation of a gender-sensitive transitional justice agenda. However in many instances, transitional justice systems fail to address gender concerns leaving the social inequalities that were prevalent prior to the war to prevail. This thesis will therefore explore how the transitional justice systems of Rwanda and Sierra Leone have failed to address gender inequalities. Drawing upon the lessons learnt through the gender analysis of the transitional justice systems adopted by the two countries, recommendations will be made regarding a more gender sensitive framework for justice in Rwanda and Sierra Leone