CONTINENTAL EXPERTS CONSULTATIVE DIALOGUE: APPLYING A GENDER LENS TO THE DRAFT AFRICAN UNION TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE POLICY (AUTJP) Kampala, Uganda, 12 December 2016: The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) of the African Union Commission (AUC) with technical support from the Centre for the Study of Violence and reconciliation (CSVR) commenced a two-day consultative dialogue for gender experts to consider the draft AU Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) and ensure that gender is mainstreamed throughout the draft policy. The meeting brings together experts from AU Organs and Institutions, Civil Society Organisations, independent gender experts and UN Agencies all working in the field of peace and security in Africa. The dialogue is part of a series of continental stakeholder consultations hosted by the African Union Commission on the draft AUTJP. In her remarks, H. E. Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs, represented by Mr. John G. Ikubaje welcomed the participants to the meeting and thereafter took them through the historical path leading to the development of the draft AUTJP. Mr. Ikubaje encouraged participants to apply their gendered lens, examine the draft AUTJP and develop key guidelines to facilitate the mainstreaming of gender throughout the draft Policy. In conclusion, Mr. John Ikubaje thanked the people and the Government of the Republic of Uganda for hosting the meeting and wished all participants a successful meeting. Ms. Nomfundo Mogapi, the Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) also addressed the Opening Ceremony of the Consultation. In her remarks, she thanked the participants for attending the meeting and the African Union Commission for partnering and including civil society and other stakeholders in developing the draft AUTJP. She assured participants that their input will help close the gender gaps in the draft Policy. DSC_6690 The overall goal of the consultation is to ensure a gender responsive draft policy that is in line with the African Union Declaration of 2016 as “the African Year of Human Rights with Particular Focus on the Rights of Women”. It also conforms to the African Union Agenda 2063 which emphasize the urgent need for the continent to fully embrace gender commitments and sustainable action against gender based discrimination and violence. Specific objectives of the Consultation are to: · Review and make specific inputs into the draft African Union Transitional Justice Policy. · Propose specific sections and language on gender and ensure mainstreaming of gender throughout the Draft Policy. · Share lessons and best practices from past, current and ongoing Transitional justice processes in Africa. 
 The two-day dialogue is organised by the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union Commission with financial and technical support from CSVR. This Experts consultation is expected to reinforce the nexus between gender and Transitional Justice Mechanisms. It will also attempt to highlight and reaffirm the critical role that the AU plays in advancing human rights, democracy and the rule of law as part of the African Shared values. The development of the African Union Transitional Justice policy is aimed at providing the AU Member States’ with context-specific and a continental approach to transitional justice that speaks to the African contextual realties and is underpinned by the continent’s shared values and aspirations. To this end, the draft AUTJP provides guidelines on how to approach accountability, truth, justice, peace, healing and reconciliation in the aftermath of gross human rights violations in Africa. The draft Policy will take into account the nuances of the African continent such as socio-economic rights, the balance between reparations and development, and various understandings of democracy and issues of amnesty, among others. The AUTJP will also assist the AU in providing the necessary support to the Member States. Media inquiries should be directed to: Amb. Salah S. Hammad | Senior Human Rights Expert | Department of Political Affairs | African Union Commission | E-mail: HammadS@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia Mr. Ikubaje John G | Political Officer (Human Rights) | Department of Political Affairs | African Union Commission | E-mail: GbodiJ@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia For further information: Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia Follow us Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission Learn more at: http://www.au.int Directorate of Information and Communication Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int Addis Ababa | Ethiopia