POST-CONFLICT GENDER-BASED SEXUAL VIOLENCE (SGBV) AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE REINTEGRATION PROCESS IN LIRA DISTRICT, NORTHERN UGANDA

ABSTRACT

This study examined the problem of gender-based sexual violence in post-armed conflicts and

how it has affected reintegration of former rebel captives into the community in Lira District.

Sexual and gender-based violence is a human rights violation and it is perpetuated by negative

attitudes which discriminate people according to their sex. It can occur at individual level, in

relationships such as marriage, at commtmity and community levels. The study found out that

women and girl mothers who have been raped by LRA rebels are rejected by the community,

their families and former husbands because according to Lango culture they are a disgrace to the

community. This rejection has affected them psychologically, health wise, economically and

physically. Unfortunately, the reintegration process has not taken this into account as it has

emphasized direct reintegration without considering the needs of these people, such as

counseling, provision of medical services and addressing the problem of archaic cultural beliefs

responsible for SGBV. Although the U.N Security Council and NGOs have taken steps in

responding to SGBV, Uganda has not amended her penal laws to bring them in conformity with

international legal instruments which oblige her to take all appropriate measures to protect

women and girls fi·om SGBV. As such the perpetrators of SGBV continue to walk scot-free. The

study among others recommends that the government amends her penal laws, and steps up the

campaign of educating the local people in Lira District about respect for human rights and the

need to break negative attitudes that perpetuate SGBV. On the whole the study calls upon all

stakeholders in the reintegration programmes to take into account the needs of different returnees

if the reintegration process is to be successful.

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