ISSN 2736-1578
African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 11, November 2026 | pp. 197–210
DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001359
Article Type: Research Article
Title: Gender, Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, and Survivor-Led Transitional Justice Mechanisms
Names of Author: Espérance Uwimana¹ & Henrikke Solberg²
Author's Affiliation: ¹Centre for Conflict Management, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda; ²Peace Research Institute Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract:
Post-conflict truth commissions, hybrid tribunals, and state reparations programs frequently frame survivors of conflict-related sexual violence primarily as passive witnesses to atrocity rather than active agents of post-war reconstruction. Procedural delays, public stigma surrounding sexual trauma, and narrowly defined legal evidentiary standards often exclude thousands of women from formal recognition and material compensation. Consequently, survivors have formed autonomous peer-led advocacy associations to demand holistic reparations, community memorialization, and intergenerational trauma support. This paper investigates survivor-led transitional justice initiatives in Rwanda and northern Uganda. Utilizing postcolonial feminist legal theory and trauma studies, the research synthesizes oral history interviews with 36 survivor association leaders and legal practitioners. We conclude that meaningful transitional justice requires shifting from top-down legalistic procedures to survivor-governed reparations and community-centered healing frameworks.
Keywords: Transitional justice, conflict-related sexual violence, survivor-led advocacy, reparations, feminist legal theory, post-conflict healing, Rwanda, Uganda
Manuscript Timeline: Received: October 03, 2026; Revised: November 01, 2026; Accepted: November 05, 2026; Published: November 16, 2026.
Citation: Uwimana, E., & Solberg, H. (2026). Gender, Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, and Survivor-Led Transitional Justice Mechanisms. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(11), 197–210. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/001359