Reykjavík Dialogue

Restorative, Transformative, and Community Justice

To address the “justice deficit” in cases of sexual violence, this panel will explore how to develop non-traditional pathways to justice as part of efforts to centre survivors in the process of justice building, where judiciary and due process either fail the survivor or do not respond adequately to their needs. The panel will include discussions on kaleidoscopic justice, survivors’ justice interests, criminal and civil justice, administrative justice, labour and employment laws, restorative and transformative justice, engaging men, and community-based action.

Address by Clare McGlynn

Recording from Panel 1

Colonial and Racial Historical Legacies and their Impact on Feminist Justice

Histories of colonialism, imperialism, slavery, among other racial oppressions are nearer than they appear in time and their legacies continue to impact feminist struggles. Central questions such as what is defined as woman-ness itself in a context where women marginalized by race have been excluded from the conversation, to the difficulties of having a shared understanding of what race means in the feminist struggle against gender-based violence, need to be critically thought through. Thinking about black or women of colour feminist politics is not rooted in African and Caribbean, Indian and South Asian, or Dalit and Adivasi feminisms and decolonial approaches, while diasporic voices carry an unequal degree of visibility. How can these histories be recognized and these practices be incorporated into an understanding of the harms that continue to be perpetuated in contemporary feminisms? The panel will include discussions on rage and radical rudeness, facing the backlash, bodily autonomy, Asian colonial gender legacies of violence and penal codes, caste, and funding and donor relationships founded on colonialism and its legacy.

Address by Kalpana Wilson

Address by Stella Nyanzi

Recording from Panel 2

Mainstreaming Intersectionality in Strategies for Changing Judicial Systems

Gender injustice is facilitated by intersecting structures of oppression. Kimberlé Crenshaw’s formulation draws attention to the many ways in which intersectionality demands a feminist agenda informed by an analysis of multiply oppressive systems political influence, economic status and geographical locations, as well as racial, sexual, and ableist norms, social privilege and other salient identities, structures, and contexts. Effectively addressing the gender justice gap requires inter-positional solidarity. How do we provide and create spaces for dialogue and developing feminist practices across positionalities? The panel will include discussions of justice with respect to people with disabilities, indigenous women and queer people as well as intersectional approaches, intergenerational equality and differences, and access to justice for marginalised and vulnerable peoples.
Address by Michelle Daley

Address by Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir

Recording from Panel 3

Revitalising Traditional Justice Systems

Decades of feminist work have built a system of due process, which survivors can access. Yet, in recent years, it has become clear that this system has either failed or been unresponsive to the needs of survivors. What has been done to correct these gaps and failures of the traditional justice system? How can the law and its processes be changed, modified, or otherwise reinvigorated so as to continue to be relevant to the ongoing endeavour to respond to the global crisis of gender-based violence? This panel spotlights efforts being made in this regard by the State, NGOs, legal practitioners who have helped change the system, and activists and academics holding the system accountable.

Address by Jane Townsley

Address by Vrinda Grover

Recording from Panel 4

What Are the Takeaways?

Panelists and audience discuss how the conversations have helped produce shared feminist foundations of justice and solidarities, which will allow feminists to chart a course of future action towards the achievement of the common goal of eradicating gender-based violence.

Recording from Plenary Session