Gendered multilateralism: Centering localization in transitional justice

In recent years, the United Nations has advocated for localization, with a strong emphasis on gender equality. This dissertation, based on ethnographic research at the United Nations, argues that these localization efforts are often slow, uneven, and tokenistic, influenced by funding structures that perpetuate power imbalances. It critiques the UN’s approach to gender responsiveness within the transitional justice framework in conflict-affected African settings, highlighting that while policy rhetoric champions gender equality, it fails to address the underlying power dynamics marginalizing women. The dissertation contributes to global governance, institutional culture, and localization literature. Chapter 1 introduces the “problematic embrace” framework and key concepts. Chapter 2 discusses relevant theories, incorporating feminist legal theories within an intersectional decolonial feminist context. Chapter 3 details the methodological design aimed at overcoming UN insularity and addressing ethical dilemmas. Chapter 4 presents empirical findings on local actors’ agency and resistance within constraints. Finally, Chapter 5 synthesizes key arguments and offers recommendations for future research.