Critical Engagements: Partnership with the local networks.

The internationalisation of discourses of equity, empowerment, autonomy, democratisation, participation and human rights have been both initiated and utilised by women’s networks worldwide. The relations between feminist theorists, policy makers and activists have been complex though there is also overlapping movement between these identities. This paper argues that only an alliance between local women’s movements and the transnational women’s peace movement can meet the challenge of bringing peace and justice together. It is based on the premise that past abuses of women in historical conflicts are a devastating reality for the victims even in the present in many post-conflict societies and is urgently in need of redress as a continuing human rights violation. A coordinated effort of practicing research on marginal sites that the international community has traditionally ignored and of applying transnational feminist approach to make survivors’ rights more visible will be the best strategic move to address women’s rights violation. For this purpose the paper interrogates ways of applying transnational feminist theorising and activism around women’s experiences in war zones including mass rapes in order to seek redress for historic wrongs. It further asks, when the wall of silence that surrounds abuses of women’s human rights breaks down with testimonies and evidences, how do we then translate emotions and passions into practical actions? In order to address these questions the paper focuses on how local women’s movements that are working to transform the limited interpretations and applications of women’s rights could form a collaborative network with international feminist and human rights organisation to advocate and organise a war-crime tribunal in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]