Putting transitional justice at the heart of WPS National Action Plans can help usher in lasting and inclusive peace in MENA, UN Women says.

[Press release]

Cairo - National Action Plans to implement the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda can be critical tools to achieve transitional justice for all and build inclusive societies in the Arab States region. 

Transitional justice mechanisms have become a critical part of efforts to end conflict, build peace, and strengthen the rule of law post-conflict. To effectively address past injustices and provide accountability and redress for past human rights violations, a gender perspective must be at the heart transitional justice processes. Yet, efforts to integrate gender into transitional justice processes have lagged behind due to many reasons, including the relative neglect of women’s experiences of conflict and post-conflict situations. 

Since the passing of United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and the successive resolutions that make up the WPS agenda, there has been wider recognition of the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and their vital roles in conflict resolution and transition processes, including transitional justice. Moreover, the WPS agenda endorses a holistic approach to transitional justice while calling for ending impunity, particularly for sexual violence during conflict. As such, it provides a useful framework to pursue gender-responsive transitional justice. This is particularly relevant to the Arab States region where many conflict-affected countries have adopted National Action Plans (NAP) to implement the WPS agenda and advance women’s participation in building peace and security.

UN Women’s new report, Transitional Justice and National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security in the Middle East and North Africa Region, is the first to explore the mutual implementation of NAPs and transitional justice in the region. Focusing on six conflict-affected countries, including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Tunisia and Yemen, the report provides practical guidance to States and civil society, and to the UN system on how to effectively integrate transitional justice into existing Action Plans to foster reconciliation and forge lasting and inclusive  peace. 

“While women and girls face gender-specific violations and abuses during conflicts and crises, we are yet to see transitional justice mechanisms in our region that adequately address these violations and ensure that they won’t happen again,” says Susanne Mikhail, UN Women Regional Director for the Arab States. “This is because women are often seen as victims rather than actors in these processes. Tapping into frameworks that champion women’s leadership and participation such as the National Action Plans allows them to lead transitional justice processes towards reconciled and peaceful societies.”  

Click here to read the full report.