The impact of enforced disappearances on women.

 

The panel discussion included powerful testimonies from women searchers from different parts of the world who shared their personal experience as family members engaged in the search for their loved ones. The contributions highlighted the multidimensional impact of enforced disappearances on women’s rights, the challenges they face in their pursuit of truth and justice, but also the collective dimension of their struggle and their contribution to building peaceful societies.  

The following common themes were addressed: 

• Multifaceted impact on rights - Through personal experiences, panelists shed light on the multidimensional impact of enforced disappearance on their rights, including the legal and administrative hurdles due to the lack of legal recognition and a “certificate of absence” of the disappeared, the economic hardship when the breadwinner disappears, the social stigma associated with a disappearance, or the impact on their health because of the stress and trauma due to the uncertainty of not knowing what has happened to their loved one and why. 

• Disproportionate risks and necessary protection - Women searchers, particularly those from marginalized communities, bear a disproportionate impact on their rights and face many challenges. They often endure victimblaming and stigmatization. The importance of creating safer spaces for women to engage in these efforts without fear of revictimization was highlighted. The testimonies also revealed the kind of abuse women searchers are subjected to: insults, harassment, intimidations, threats, sexual violence. Some of them are even forcibly disappeared or killed for asking questions about the fate of their loved ones. 

• Women searchers as leaders and peacebuilders - Panelists underscored the leadership role that women take on following the disappearance of a loved one, for their family, in the broader community and society as a whole. Women searchers often become breadwinners and careproviders for their family. Beyond their close circle, women have always been at the forefront of the fight against enforced disappearances. Most victim-led organizations are led by women. Despite facing immense personal challenges, women find solidarity and strength through shared experiences. This collective resilience plays a critical role in sustaining the fight for truth and justice and building peaceful societies.

Recommendations for action 

• Adopting gender-sensitive approaches: Adopting a gender-based approach is crucial in addressing enforced disappearances. This includes integrating gender perspectives in search processes and supporting women-led initiatives.

 • Overcoming legal and administrative obstacles: All States should provide legal recognition of the status of disappeared and the corresponding certificate of absence to allow family members, in particular women and girls, to overcome legal and administrative hurdles in exercising their rights to property, education, etc.

 • Promoting inclusive and participatory processes: The participation of women searchers should be guaranteed in all processes that affect them: search and identification processes, investigations, development of relevant legislation and policies, etc. Transparent processes should be established to give families closure, with greater international pressure to ensure access to information and accountability of perpetrators.

 • Supporting and strengthening women searchers’ collective action: Global solidarity and stronger alliances between CSOs and international organizations are essential. Creating networks of solidarity can help amplify their voices and advocacy efforts, while also providing protection. Additionally, women searchers should be supported with better resources to navigate legal systems and advocate effectively. Providing training for women searchers can empower them to participate in processes that affect them and peacebuilding efforts, ensuring their demands for truth and justice are heard.