The findings highlight the gap between progressive legal and policy frameworks and women's everyday experiences of seeking justice. The report concludes with evidence-based recommendations to strengthen accountability, improve survivor-centred responses, and advance a more accessible, responsive, and equitable justice system for all women.

The Forum revealed both progress and persistent challenges in addressing GBV. Discussions highlighted systemic drivers such as patriarchy, harmful cultural norms, economic dependency, digital exclusion and weak implementation of existing policies. Participants underscored the need to shift from crisis response to prevention, to strengthen survivor-centred justice and to expand inclusive approaches that recognise the intersecting vulnerabilities of women, youth, LGBTQIA+ persons, people with disabilities and rural communities.

Five thematic pillars guided deliberations: access to justice, education systems, overcoming funding gaps, technology and digital tools, and men as partners in prevention. Central to all these was the call for structural transformation, collective accountability and long-term investment in community-driven solutions. As one participant reflected: 'Behind every statistic is a shattered life; [hence] prevention should be on all our agendas.'

Good practices showcased during the Forum – from mobile courts and community paralegals to youth led advocacy, survivor networks, faith-based partnerships and innovative digital tools – illustrated what is possible when responses are inclusive, well resourced and locally owned. Participants agreed that stronger regional collaboration, flexible funding models and political will are essential to scale such innovations and close persistent gaps.

This report consolidates the key challenges, promising practices, and strategic recommendations from the Forum. It serves as both a record of collective insight and a roadmap for governments, civil society, donors, and communities to strengthen
prevention and response to GBV in Southern Africa.

Through the lens of the 11 indicative elements of transitional justice in the African Union Transitional Justice Policy – ranging from peace processes and justice and accountability to reparations and redistributive (socio-economic) justice – the study provides a comparative analysis of transitional justice processes in the 10 countries.

Based on interviews with key transitional justice stakeholders in each country and desktop research, the study offers detailed lessons learnt from practice and presents recommendations on the way forward for policy makers, practitioners, scholars, donors and other actors supporting transitional justice in Africa. By learning from the experiences of these countries and adopting a holistic approach, the African continent can address its complex legacies and build stronger, more inclusive societies.

This report – the first volume in a series – was produced as part of the Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa project, funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium comprised of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, the International Center for Transitional Justice, and the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund.

La étude fournit une analyse comparative des processus de justice transitionnelle dans ces 10 pays, à travers le prisme des 11 éléments indicatifs de la justice transitionnelle dans la politique de justice transitionnelle de l'Union africaine. Ce rapport analyse les études de cas de JT dans les différents contextes nationaux considérés et présente nombreuses recommandations à l'intention des décideurs politiques, des praticiens, des universitaires, des donateurs et d'autres parties prenantes de la justice transitionnelle en Afrique.

En tirant les leçons des expériences de ces pays et en adoptant une approche holistique, le continent africain peut faire face à son héritage complexe et construire des sociétés plus fortes et plus inclusives.

Ce rapport – le premier volume d'une série – a été produit dans le cadre du projet Initiative pour la justice transitionnelle en Afrique, financé par l'Union européenne et mis en œuvre par un consortium composé du Centre d'études sur la violence et la reconciliation, du Centre international pour la justice transitionnelle, et du Fonds pour l'héritage de la justice transitionnelle en Afrique.

The policy paper, Justice Denied: Gender-Based Violence Crimes Remain Unpunishable in South Africa, highlights systemic failures in addressing gender-based violence (GBV). Despite robust laws, survivors face barriers including police corruption, legal delays, and inadequate support services. Community dialogues revealed drivers such as mental health stigma, substance abuse, poverty, and harmful gender norms. The justice system often retraumatises victims, while limited mental health and legal resources deepen their vulnerability. The paper calls for trauma-informed policing, survivor-centered justice reforms, mental health education, economic empowerment of women, and stronger community-based interventions to effectively prevent and respond to GBV in South Africa