AUWCL Secures $500,000 State Department Grant to Help Stop Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Central African Republic

Prof. Susana SaCouto and Hon. Patricia Whalen
Prof. Susana SaCouto along with the Hon. Patricia Whalen of the War Crimes Chamber at the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) War Crimes Research Office (WCRO) and the Women in International Law Program have been awarded a grant of nearly $500,000 ($496,297 in total) by the U.S. Department of State for their project, “Strengthening Government Ability to Hold Perpetrators Accountable for Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Central African Republic.” The project builds upon the Gender and International Criminal Law Project, including the Gender Jurisprudence Collections (available at www.genderjurisprudence.org), a free online research tool created by the programs. The unique site enables users around the world to research the prosecution of sexual and gender-based crimes committed in the context of conflict and mass repression worldwide.  AUWCL’s faculty, staff and students will collaborate with partner organizations in the Central African Republic to create French-language legal research tools and conduct in-country and online training tailored to local needs.

This grant creates opportunities for AUWCL’s students to learn about the complex legal issues that arise in post-conflict settings, such as in the Central African Republic. They will join faculty and staff on the project, working as paid Dean’s Fellows, volunteers, and student researchers in an International Criminal Law and Procedure practicum taught by Susana SaCouto, director of the WCRO.

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