Nairobi, 4 August 2023 – The African Women for Transitional Justice (AW4TJ) programme was formally launched as a continental platform following the inaugural training and network-building session for women in transitional Justice. The event was conducted by the African Union with the support of the host country Kenya, the EU Consortium on Transitional Justice in Africa (The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation - CSVR, the Inernational Center for Transitional justice - ICTJ and the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund - ATJLF), GIZ and the European Center for Electoral Support - ECES.

The AU Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) was unanimously adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Governments in February 2019. In line with the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol), the AUTJP recognizes that women & girls tend to suffer disproportionately, both from direct & indirect effects of violent conflict. It is in this regard that the AUC within the framework of the adopted Implementation Roadmap for the AUTJP crafted this platform under the title ‘‘African Women for Transitional Justice’’ (AW4TJ). The platform is expected to encompass training and network-building for women on transitional justice processes with a focus on the principles and provisions outlined in the AUTJP and also to create a hub for knowledge exchange and experience sharing on the lessons and good practices for developing and implementing transitional justice processes that effectively address the experiences of women and girls. 

The AU Director for Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate, Mrs. Patience Chiradza, at the formal launch, said: "The way women are affected during conflict is completely different from the way men are affected so it becomes critically important that we, women, really raise our voices and take ownership as well as leadership, especially of transitional justice processes".

Ms Sarah Kasande, the Head of Office of the International Center for Transitional Justice in Uganda also stated “Addressing women's experiences in TJ processes is not merely a moral imperative but essential for creating sustainable and inclusive peace. TJ processes must deliberately promote women’s participation & address, rather than reproduce, gender inequality”.

The three-day event brought together 35 women carefully selected, with special consideration given to women that are currently affiliated with transitional justice programmes in the AU Member States.  They were drawn mainly from national transitional justice mechanisms, FEMWISE, Panel of the Wise, national and regional CSO’s working on transitional justice and peacebuilding issues, and others.

The participants elected a task force of 9 members to further flesh down the proposed AW4TJ structure and to facilitate the processes of its implementation. The task force is comprised of TJ experts from the five regions of the continent and a representative from the AU. Immediately after the closing ceremony of the event, the task force commenced work on its mandate on 4 August 2023.

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For media inquiries, please contact: 

Ms. Limi Mohammed Shash | Communication Focal Point & Web Administrator | Governance and Conflict prevention Directorate of the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, African Union Commission | E-mail: shashlm@africa-union.org

Ms. Sarah Kasande | Head of Office ICTJ- Uganda | ICTJ | E-mail: skasande@ictj.org

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