Transitional justice failing? A gendered evaluation of the transitional justice program in post-genocide Rwanda

This thesis explores the experiences of women in the transitional justice process that has followed the war in Rwanda. Transitional justice is implemented to satisfy the state’s need to regain legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens by entrenching the rule of law and building capacity in justice institutions. In Rwanda, women have experienced lasting effects from the trauma of the genocide, and in order to heal, they have sought to participate in the country’s transitional justice program. Through a gender analysis of the conflict and subsequent transitional justice program, it is evident that the government of Rwanda is not adequately addressing gender-based violence crimes and gender specific sensitivities with regard to the retributive justice process. Drawing upon the lessons learned from a gender analysis of the Rwandan conflict and a gender evaluation of Rwanda’s transitional justice program, recommendations are made regarding a more gender sensitive framework for justice.