Women, Peace and Security Report Launched

By Robert Assimwe 

 Recently in Gulu City, ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) disseminated a brief on the state of  women in peace and security in Uganda. The brief outlines the continued challenges to recovery and access to the  much-needed justice in post-conflict Northern Uganda, especially among women and children. The brief's findings highlight the resilience of women and girls who survived the brutal Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency but continue to grapple with profound challenges.

A large part of Northern Uganda's population are still affected by the lingering effects of the war, with the report indicating that In addition, over 1.9 million people were displaced in some areas and many people still do not have access to livelihood opportunities. Women — often the sole breadwinners in a household — are disproportionately affected by limited access to land, violence and stigma against survivors of violence. The legacy of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is yet another harsh reality; many survivors of forced marriages, rape and sexual slavery continue to face psychological trauma, social exclusion, and limited access to reproductive health services.

The brief emphasizes the need for transformative and gender-sensitive recovery programs. It calls for an urgent push to break patriarchal norms that restrict women's participation in peacebuilding, advocating for the creation of inclusive spaces where women and youth are central to decision-making. Furthermore, the document highlights the importance of legal support, livelihood opportunities, and mental health services, particularly for survivors of sexual violence and their children born out of captivity, many of whom face legal and societal challenges.

AAIU urges both local and international stakeholders to take concerted action, amplifying the voices of those who have been long marginalized in recovery efforts. The dissemination of the findings aims to create a pathway for more sustainable, inclusive, and holistic recovery in the region, ensuring that Northern Uganda’s future is shaped by the resilience and leadership of women and children.