Women, Art, and Post-Conflict Justice

This article explores cultural justice as a mechanism of transitional justice, and the creative agency of women in pursuing justice post-conflict. The most frequently applied transitional justice mechanisms often exclude groups of individuals who did not directly experience physical violence. The author argues for a holistic approach for transitional justice; one that not only includes justice to rectify harm, legal justice, and social justice, but also cultural justice. This would better meet the diverse experiences of all war-affected individuals. Since art is a primary vehicle of cultural expression and transmission, cultural justice would focus on the creative domain. The artistic activities of women meet the objectives of transitional justice by preserving memories, achieving reconciliation and conscientization within post-conflict societies and acting as a deterrent for future conflict.