International human rights and humanitarian law concerning the conduct of war have for a long time failed women.  Though rules limiting the conduct of hostilities have  existed in various forms for as long as conflicts themselves, violence against and exploitation of women have been implicitly tolerated or at worst, encouraged.  The mass rapes of the Balkan wars and of Rwanda have changed this climate of impunity. The last fifteen years have seen a rapid growth in the international law relating to conflict, including the recognition of rape as a crime against humanity, a war crime and, in certain circumstances, an element of genocide. This has been an important breakthrough for women's rights, and indeed, for building accountability systems for post-conflict societies.  But efforts to end impunity by prosecuting perpetrators occur after the event; we must prevent rather than redress. The better way is to promote democratic governance, access to justice and human rights. We must recognize the critical link between the rule of law and poverty eradication, human rights and sustainable development. Durable peace cannot be built on injustice. Justice for women is at long last emerging from the shadow of history to take its rightful place at the heart of the international rule of law.