SIDE EVENT Women and Customary and Informal Justice Systems: Engagement and Action
Around the world, people claim rights and resolve disputes and grievances through a range of justice mechanisms. In many settings, however, it is estimated that 80-90 per cent of disputes are dealt with outside the formal courts. Women, among others, often resort to customary and informal justice systems (CIJs) to resolve their concerns, such as those related to family obligations, inheritance, divorce, property rights, access to land and natural resources, and even protection from violence.
Justice and development actors have been increasingly discussing how to improve engagement with customary and informal justice systems to deliver justice for all. However, despite their perceived advantages, many CIJs often perpetuate patriarchal values, reflect male-dominated structures and produce discriminatory and harmful outcomes for women and girls. These challenges call for better understanding of and engagement with such systems, by placing women’s issues and concerns at the center of discussions on policy directions and entry points for engagement.
The event will provide space for an open discussion on challenges and opportunities of engagement with CIJs. Participants will reflect on ways in which to enhance women’s justice experiences with CIJ systems, looking at best practices and promising entry points.
Key issues for reflection:
- What can be done to improve strategic engagement with CIJs for the promotion and protection of women’s rights?
- What practical entry points and good practices offer concrete pathways for engagement?
The event will be informed by IDLO’s research on Navigating Complex Pathways to Justice: Expanding Women’s Access to Justice in CIJ systems (forthcoming).
Details:
4:45pm - 6:00pm | Tuesday, March 10, 2020 | Express Bar, United Nations Headquarters, New York
Speakers:
Opening remarks: Jan Beagle, Director-General, International Development Law Organization (IDLO)
- Ms. Beth Roberts, Program Manager, Center for Women’s Land Rights, Landesa
- Ms. Emerlynne Gil, Senior International Legal Adviser, International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
- Ms. Rita Aciro-Lakor, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET)
- Dr. Omaira Bolanos, Director, Latin America Program, Rights and Resources International
Moderator: Dr. Ilaria Bottigliero, Director, Policy, Research and Learning, IDLO
Participation:
RSVP by Wednesday, March 4 here.
