Gender and Transitional Justice: A Training Module Series

Within the field of transitional justice, like many others, mainstreaming gender is now considered “best practice” and rhetoric around gender-sensitivity has become a relative norm. Too often, however, the promises and rhetoric do not translate into effective implementation. Much of this failure often comes from a lack of technical knowledge to implement transitional justice measures in a way that encourages women’s participation and adequately addresses the gendered nature of human rights violations. Without the engagement of women and others targeted because of their gender, transitional justice cannot successfully contribute to a more just society for all.

Two hands hold a piece of paper covered with hand-written words in front of a black background.

In West Papua, Indonesia, indigenous women documented violence and human rights violations occurring between 1963 and 2009, during the period of integration of their region in Indonesia. (ICTJ/Anne Cecile Esteve)

The ICTJ Gender and Transitional Justice curriculum is based on over 15 years of experience working on gender issues in over 25 countries around the world. It is intended to broaden the knowledge of civil society groups and other practitioners about how to incorporate a gender-sensitive approach into the design and implementation of transitional justice programs. The curriculum contains 6 modules offering practical examples and discussion of important topics including:

  • Truth seeking
  • Reparative justice 
  • Criminal justice
  • Memorialization, and
  • Women’s voices and participation in transitional justice processes

An overview module and an additional resources annex also offer a broader look at gender and transitional justice.

We encourage you to explore the sessions that are connected to your work, download the materials, and tailor the curriculum for your individual use. While we invite users to modify the PowerPoint presentations as relevant for trainings or other convenings, attribution should be given to ICTJ and UN Women, with financial assistance from the European Union.

We encourage you to explore the sessions that are connected to your work, download the materials, and tailor the curriculum for your individual use. While we invite users to modify the PowerPoint presentations as relevant for trainings or other convenings, attribution should be given to ICTJ and UN Women, with financial assistance from the European Union.

Black and white photo of Black women marching in the street holding protest signs.

The modules are designed to allow users to personalize and adjust their own trajectory through the materials based on their needs, experiences, and expertise. The concepts mentioned in each slide correspond to a section in the accompanying speaker notes. At the beginning of each section, the main points are summarized in bullet form and then explained in detail. The speaker notes also contain user-friendly additions such as links to key supplementary information and primary resources, as well as country-specific examples. Throughout each module, discussion questions and suggested exercises are contained in blue bordered boxes, to be explored at the user’s discretion. ​

Users can design the training to fit the needs of the intended audience by skipping certain information, focusing more on supplementary materials, or engaging in dialogue via questions and activities. It is recommended that the presenter familiarize him- or herself with the slides and the speaker notes in advance to anticipate where the slide breaks occur. Within a section of the speaker notes, there may be multiple corresponding slides. Accompanying these modules is a document entitled “Additional Resources.” This document can be consulted should the user wish to learn more about a particular topic.

Three Latina women stand in a line, wearing white dresses, black headscarves, and all three are holding photographs of people
Members of Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres demonstrate to bring attention to how the conflict has affected women. (ICTJ/Camilo Aldana Sanín)

 

Materials for Download

Speaker Notes

  • Overview EN | AR | ES
  • Truth Seeking EN
  • Reparative Justice EN
  • Criminal Justice EN
  • Memorialization EN
  • "Women’s Voices" video instructions EN | ES
  • Appendix* EN | AR | ES

Slide Presentations

  • Overview EN | AR | ES
  • Truth Seeking EN | AR | ES
  • Reparative Justice EN | AR | ES
  • Criminal Justice EN | AR | ES
  • Memorialization EN | AR | ES

Have you completed a training using one or more of the modules? We would like to hear from you! Tweet about your experience @theICTJ and share your feedback with us directly by taking a survey.​

*All appendices are available only in English, but where available the links to outside resources are provided in the corresponding languages

Women kneel on the floor participating in a communications building workshop, one woman holds a microphone out to another woman so she can speak.

Gender Justice

Human rights violations can have unique consequences for women and others targeted because of their gender or sexual identity. ICTJ helps victims to fulfill their rights to justice, truth, and reparation and affirm their dignity by providing accompaniment, support, and tailored responses. We stand with victims in seeking acknowledgment and accountability for sexual and gender-based violations committed in situations of systemic abuse.

Read more about transitional justice and gender