Gender, Conflict and Reintegration in Uganda: Abducted Girls, Returning Women

This book explores the challenges of reintegrating tens of thousands of girls abducted by the Lord's Resistance Army into their homes in Uganda. It highlights the ongoing stigma of abduction and the need for comprehensive reintegration strategies that address the complex negotiations and exchanges between hosting communities and formerly abducted women.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 25 June 2021
Publisher: Routledge

This captivating book delves into the profound and intricate aftermath of the tens of thousands of girls, now women, who were abducted by the notorious Lords Resistance Army and forcibly inducted into their campaign of violence against the Ugandan government. Through extensive original research, the author takes readers on a journey to explore the challenges these formerly abducted women face upon their return home.

The author meticulously examines the strategies employed to aid their reintegration into society, as well as the enduring stigma of abduction that they continue to endure. What emerges is a poignant portrayal of how 'home, a place of hope and comfort, can also be a hostile environment, leaving formerly abducted women in precarious and vulnerable situations.

The author highlights the many shortcomings in the reintegration process, which have far-reaching implications for the prospects of post-conflict reconstruction. By analyzing reintegration as a long-term and dynamic process that involves complex negotiations and exchanges between hosting communities and formerly abducted women, this book offers valuable insights to scholars, policymakers, and practitioners working in the fields of post-conflict reconstruction, African politics, and gender and conflict.

The book sheds light on the complex dynamics that shape the reintegration journey, including the power dynamics at play, the cultural barriers that hinder reconciliation, and the psychological toll of trauma. It also explores the role of social and political institutions in facilitating or impeding the reintegration process, and the need for sustainable support mechanisms to ensure the long-term well-being of formerly abducted women and their communities.

Through its compelling storytelling and insightful analysis, this book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex challenges faced by women in post-conflict societies. It serves as a call to action for policymakers, practitioners, and communities to prioritize the reintegration of formerly abducted women and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Weight: 299g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032023083