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sion, which was created to reconcile victims of human rights violations
throughout a period known as the ‘Years of Lead’,2 also highlighted gender as one of its key priorities in its policy for reparations. However, narrow application dates and the use of closed-list systems prevent victims
of gender-based violence from coming forward due to the psychological
pressures involved (Rubio-Marin and Pablo de Grieff 2007: 323). Prifogle suggests that “although there has been some incorporation of gender
sensitivities in reparation programs, most, if not all, programs prioritise
violations experienced primarily by men, including illegal detention, torture…” (Prifogle 2010: 238). This suggests that the majority of states’
commitments to a gender sensitive approach regarding reparations remains rhetorical and has yet to manifest in implementation.
Institutional Reform
It is often the case that public institutions are involved in systematic
abuses of human rights and repression. The transformation of institutions such as security forces and the judiciary into respected instruments
of justice is vital for the rebuilding of post-conflict states (Harris et al
2013: 1). The ultimate goal of institutional reform is to establish the rule
of law and ensure non-recurrence. Institutional reform provides an opportunity to focus on gender, both by involving women in the processes
of reforming public institutions and also by producing public institutions
that ultimately aim to protect women from conflict-related gender harms.
Rishmawi states that “there is little doubt…that the main structures to
be reformed are the security institutions” (Quoted in UN Human Rights
2013: 1). It has been increasingly seen that in post-conflict zones reform of security institutions with an increased focus on gender has been
2 The ‘Years of Lead’ refers to a period of rule by King Hassan II of Morocco, which was
marked by systematic abuses of human rights by Moroccan state authorities. See http://
www.ictj.org/sites/default/files/ICTJ-Morocco-TRC-2009-English.pdf (accessed 20
March 2014)