Nairobi — The proposed Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission should focus on women's plight, an NGO has recommended.

The International Centre for Policy and Conflict (ICPC) says the commission should recognise the unique differences between women and men's experiences in human rights violations.

The NGO called for ways within the TJRC to assist in facilitating an understanding of how women were affected by violations that can influence transitional justice efforts.

It called for special hearings dedicated to women's testimonies.

ICPC Executive Director, Mr Ndung'u Wainaina, said the TJRC Bill must treat seriously the concerns raised over the operations and management of the TJRC and the proposed laws that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs had drafted.

"We believe the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs would not stand on the way of Kenyans in expressing their voice," he added.

"It is important that the TJRC process is done in a democratic, accountable, transparent and gender sensitive manner. The Bill was drafted without consultations with key stakeholders and actors, particularly the victims. It omitted certain fundamental principles spelt out in the 2003 Task Force Report on the establishment of a TJRC," he said.

"The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs needs to drop previous adversarial and confrontational stances while dealing with critical reforms. There ought to be sufficient and robust public discussion and debate on the process and the supporting legal framework," added Wainaina.

He observed that while the mediation agreement signed on March 14, remained the point of reference to the TJRC Bill, Kenyans were the pillar of the process.

Wainaina called for the Bill to be properly structured to ownership and participation from conceptualisation to the post-commission period.

"TJRC process is a sensitive matter and happens only once in a country. Kenyans must be given the opportunity to comment on operationalising legislation before it becomes law. All leaders must listen to the people's advice. The role of international commissioners and other experts be defined," he said.