WOMEN PROPEL SOUTH AFRICA’S TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Women Waging Peace, Media Advisory, May 16, 2005

Inclusive Security: Women Waging Peace, an initiative of Hunt Alternatives Fund advocating full participation of all stakeholders, especially women, in peace processes around the world, announced today the release of its report titled, “Women’s Contributions to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).” This study – compiled with its field-based research – proved that women played a critical role in planning, designing, and implementing the TRC and should be a vital part of truth and reconciliation processes in conflict-ridden countries such as Sudan and Iraq.

The interim constitution of South Africa established the TRC to address human rights abuses during the apartheid rule and to bring about social cohesion in a country ravaged by violence. The success of this transitional justice, facilitated by the TRC, is related in large part to South African women assertively volunteering their time and expertise to create a transparent and inclusive process.

Based on the research from “Women’s Contribution’s to South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission” report, women’s testimonies made up 56.5% of 21, 227 presented to the TRC, 60% of which were black. These numbers are a direct result from interviews with different TRC participants – 41% of the commissioners were women of diverse classes, races and backgrounds.

The report suggests several key steps for national and international authorities establishing truth and reconciliation processes in post-conflict settings. These include: ensuring all staff receive gender training, including women legal experts, trauma counselors, and other women in the earliest stages of the processes; consulting with women’s groups and networks to assist in encouraging women’s participation as witnesses; and strengthening partnerships among women politicians and civil society groups to encourage information sharing and the generation of gender-sensitive national policies on transitional justice.

These are only a few of the recommended measures for truth and reconciliation processes to include women peace experts and profit from their expertise. A complete list of recommendations, as well as the original report and executive summary are available www.womenwagingpeace.net.

For full Policy Commission Case Study on Women's Contributions to South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, please visit: http://www.womenwagingpeace.net/content/conflict_areas/southafrica.asp