The problem is that patriarchy manifests in many ways – as a globalised, white, hetero-sexist, trans-antagonist patriarchy. This means that there is a risk of creating these figurative tropes that are advocacy- and donor- friendly, which is are generally an agency-less African victim and a barbaric, usually black, African combatant; and this becomes the ‘usual’ story. African victim and a barbaric, usually black, African combatant; and this becomes the ‘usual’ story. The risk is that everyone who does not fit into that picture or context is automatically excluded from the conversation. 4. Gendered notions of war and justice Finally, Bluen noted that notions of both war and justice are defined by patriarchy. She drew on feminist literature to note that the notion of ‘conflict’ is defined by parameters of patriarchy to argue that there is a need to unpack when conflict starts and ends. Much violence happens prior to the mobilisation of forces and after their disarmament. Those who bear the brunt of this violence are often women and those who are marginalised. Bluen further noted that much of the criminal justice system is constructed by and for men, which has repercussions for how victims and survivors experience it and how their experience of gender-based violence is acknowledged. In light of the intersection between these patriarchal constructions, Bluen noted that the narratives of sexual violence as a weapon of war may perpetuate patriarchy in sometimes unintended ways. In conclusion, Bluen reflected on the multiple approaches to addressing sexual and genderbased violence and the importance of creating spaces for multiple conversations and actions. Patriarchy is a global phenomenon, and sexual violence happens during wartime and peacetime. Accountability and justice, for Bluen, should be reflected as societal conditions, not just as processes. yb YASSIN BRUNGER Lecturer in Human Rights Law, Queen’s University Belfast Institutional responses to narratives around sexual and gender-based violence Brunger’s presentation highlighted the importance of developing gender-sensitive institutional cultures of justice, at national and international levels. At the ICC level, Brunger argued that this ought to extend beyond the work of the Office of the Prosecutor, to encompass the entire Court and Rome Statute system. Brunger framed her discussion around unveiling the institutions and noted that, when many victims and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence see the personnel of the ICC, they see the Court as whole. Brunger posed the question: Are the individuals who constitute the institutions themselves gender sensitive, inclusive, and reflective? Brunger used the example from a national context, likening it to the example of a police officer interviewing a victim of sexual violence. In this context, it is important to recognise that this is a relationship between the officer and another human being. 18\ Accountability for conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence: Successes, challenges, narratives, and omissions