Martha Albertson Fineman and Estelle Zinsstag (eds),Feminist Perspectives on Transitional Justice: From International and Criminal to Alternative Forms of Justice

Abstract

Dismantling structures that perpetuate human rights abuses to facilitate transition from conflict to stability lies at the crux of the transitional justice movement. It would seem, then, that the process of transition presents the perfect opportunity to challenge paradigms that are harmful to women. However, transitional justice mechanisms typically pay little regard to the specific plight of women. In Feminist Perspectives on Transitional Justice, editors Martha Albertson Fineman and Estelle Zinsstag have taken on this issue in a provocative collection of 14 essays placing gender front and centre in the transitional justice discussion. Organized into four parts, the volume opens with a feminist take on theoretical approaches to transitional justice in Part One. Part Two considers various legal strategies employed in transitional justice from a feminist perspective, including at the international criminal tribunals, whereas Part Three highlights non-legal alternatives such as truth and reconciliation commissions (TRCs) and community-driven efforts. The volume concludes with case studies on the application of particular transitional justice methodologies in Part Four.