On November 18th and 19th, 2024, the African Women for Transitional Justice (AW4TJ) Platform was officially launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event was a significant milestone in the African Union’s (AU) efforts to not only advance the implementation of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) but also to ensure the implementation of inclusive and transformative transitional justice processes across the continent. Organised by the African Union and supported by consortium partners under the European Union’s funded Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa project, the AW4TJ seeks to amplify the voices of African women in transitional justice processes. The overall objective of the platform is to “create a network of women who collectively advocate for the establishment of robust, gender-sensitive, and inclusive transitional justice mechanisms and to strengthen women’s participation in Transitional Justice processes on the continent”. This official launch in November was preceded by an inaugural training which took place in Nairobi in August 2023.

The formation of the AW4TJ is rooted in the urgent need to mainstream the role of women in transitional justice processes across Africa. Despite the transformative potential of the AUTJP, the gendered impacts of conflict often go unaddressed in post-conflict or post dictatorship settings. The AW4TJ platform seeks to change this narrative by providing a space where women’s voices, experiences, and expertise are prioritized and leveraged to shape transitional justice processes on the continent. Again, this platform is grounded in the AUTJP which recognizes that women and girls disproportionately suffer from violence, human rights violations, and structural inequalities. It also underscores the critical role women play in transitional justice, advocating for strengthened participation and gender-sensitive approaches in TJ mechanisms.

At the meeting in November, the task force formed at the Inaugural training in August 2023 presented the strategy for the operationalisation of the (AW4TJ) including the missions, visions, goals, code of conduct, core values and principles of the network. These documents were adopted by members of the AW4TJ. All these efforts underscore the AW4TJ as not just a network but a movement, a catalyst for gender-inclusive justice, and a critical step towards addressing the systemic inequalities women face during and after conflicts. As adopted by its member, the AW4TJ Platform envisions an empowered, capacitated, and gender-just Africa that respects, promotes, and protects the political, economic, social, and cultural rights of women and girls. It also aims to realize a peaceful, just, and democratic Africa where women and girls are central to transitional justice processes and its outcomes. The mission of AW4TJ is to empower women, girls, and young people, promote their rights, and foster a just and equitable society by addressing conflict, enhancing women’s participation in transitional justice processes, and advocating for gender-sensitive approaches to justice and reconciliation. Its goal is to achieve comprehensive, inclusive, and participatory transitional justice processes that focus on capacity building while addressing the causes, effects, and prevention of conflicts and human rights violations.

During the event, the Network’s leadership was elected, with Ms. Choice Ndoro and Ms Latifa Jbabdi emerging as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively. Thematic following thematic working groups were also established: Advocacy and Awareness, Knowledge Management and Documentation, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Administrative Support. These groups will collaborate with the leadership to achieve the AW4TJ’s objectives.

The AW4TJ represents a milestone towards addressing the historical exclusion of women in transitional justice processes across the continent. By amplifying women’s voices, fostering knowledge creation, and building partnerships, the platform positions women as leaders in advancing inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches. Its emphasis on capacity building, policy advocacy, and expert networks will equip women to shape transitional justice processes. However, the Network’s success will depend on sustained commitment, strategic partnerships, and the active participation of African women at all levels. It is important for partners, stakeholders and donors alike to rally behind this cause and ensure that the legacies of conflict  and in Africa are addressed through a lens that centres women and girls.