Dealing with the Aftermath of Sexual Violence in War-Torn Uganda: The Role of Civil Society Organizations

The present work aims at delineating the historical path which has led to the Ugandan northern war and its related episodes of sexual violence against women; furthermore, it aims at analyzing and comparing the activities performed by twelve indigenous and grassroots civil society organizations (CSOs) in dealing with sexually abused women during and after the conflict (1986-2008). To do so, firstly, it has been outlined an excursus over the historical and political past of the country; secondly, an insight has been dedicated to the phenomenology and breadth of the sexual violence episodes occurred during the northern war, and their consequences on women's wellbeing. Thirdly, the attention has been drawn to the role of the main social actors involved in dealing with abused women during and after the conflict. Among those, the research has focused on twelve CSOs operating in the North. To understand their positioning and activities, CSOs' representatives have been interviewed. Their responses have shed light on the fact that stigma and trauma are still present in Northern Uganda and women need economic and educational empowerment, together with counseling and medical support, to be fully reintegrated in society. Moreover, advocacy and sensitization activities are required to enhance women's rights consciousness. In addition, according to interviews' results, there are still relevant women-related social issues to be addressed in nowadays Northern Uganda. Among the others, the dominating patriarchal system and women's land inheritance struggle. Therefore, women still have not been fully reintegrated in society, and CSOs' involvement is still high. Introduction *** told me "Why are you crying? When are you going to stop?