Intersectionality in International Justice: Addressing Marginalized Voices in Conflict

The concept of justice in international relations has traditionally been framed within a universalist paradigm, often failing to account for the lived experiences of marginalized groups in conflict zones. Intersectionality—a framework that examines how overlapping social identities such as gender, ethnicity, and class create systems of oppression—provides a critical lens to rethink justice in international contexts. This paper argues that the exclusion of intersectional considerations from justice mechanisms perpetuates structural inequities and undermines the transformative potential of justice in conflict resolution and post-conflict recovery. Drawing on case studies from the Yazidi survivors of ISIS and Sudanese women in post-conflict contexts, the paper explores how marginalized voices are often relegated to the periphery of international justice mechanisms. Yazidi women, for example, faced sexual violence and enslavement during the ISIS insurgency, yet their experiences remain inadequately addressed in international legal frameworks, which prioritize prosecuting war crimes over restorative and reparative justice. Similarly, in Sudan, women who played crucial roles in the country’s revolutionary movements have been excluded from decision-making processes in transitional justice mechanisms, reflecting broader patriarchal and class-based exclusions. The paper critically assesses the limitations of current international justice mechanisms, which often adopt a narrow focus on state-level accountability and retributive justice. These mechanisms, while valuable in addressing gross violations of international law, frequently fail to incorporate the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of justice that marginalized groups demand. Furthermore, the analysis highlights how international justice often replicates power asymmetries by privileging elite actors and marginalizing grassroots voices, reinforcing systemic inequities instead of dismantling them. By incorporating intersectional perspectives, this paper proposes a reconceptualization of international justice as an inclusive and transformative process. It calls for justice mechanisms that centre the voices of marginalized groups, ensuring that their lived experiences inform both the design and implementation of legal and political remedies. For example, incorporating the testimonies of Yazidi survivors not merely as evidence for prosecution but as the basis for reparative justice initiatives can better address their specific needs and foster long-term healing. Similarly, integrating Sudanese women into transitional justice processes as equal participants can help dismantle the patriarchal structures that perpetuate their marginalization. The paper concludes by proposing an interdisciplinary approach to international justice that integrates insights from international law, political science, gender studies, and postcolonial theory. It argues that justice, when understood through an intersectional lens, transcends its traditional legalistic confines to become a catalyst for structural change. This approach challenges the dominant narratives of justice as a top-down process and repositions it as a participatory framework that empowers marginalized voices to shape their futures. Ultimately, the paper seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering a vision of justice that is not only inclusive but also transformative. In doing so, it contributes to the broader discourse on rethinking the justice/peace nexus by emphasizing the moral and political imperative of centring marginalized voices in the pursuit of a more equitable international order.