All posts by Benard Okot

Survivors of Conflict Join Hands to Make Change

19 Feb 2019Blog, Initiative UpdatesBenard Okot, Nigeria, uganda, WANBenard Okot

Creating Global Connections

Justice and Reconciliation Project Head of Office, Mr. Okwir Isaac Odyia, JRP and WAN representatives, and exchange counterparts meet with the National Judicial Council of Nigeria. Photo Credit Benard Okot.

Survivors of conflict related sexual violence across the world, especially those who return from captivity with armed groups, face similar obstacles and challenges. These include stigmatization and rejection. Additionally, they suffer long term psychological distress as a result of the physical, sexual, and mental abuse they experienced in capacity.

This message shaped a five-day dialogue and experience sharing workshop, which took place between 21 and 25 of January 2019 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The exchange activity was sponsored by Trust Africa, under the auspices of the International Criminal Justice Fund. Representatives of the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP) and Women’s Advocacy Network (WAN) traveled to Abuja, Nigeria to interact with survivors of sexual violence and Boko Haram captivity there. The program was hosted by the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA).

The event provided opportunities for WAN members to share experiences with their counterparts at the Allamin Foundation for Peace. The participants’ focus was to illuminate the challenges faced in their countries and to think of strategies for overcoming these challenges together. Survivors from both countries shared their stories and experiences, allowing them to learn from one another and to build resilience.

Evelyn Amony, WAN chair and a survivor from northern Uganda, narrated how she was forced to marry Lord’s Resistance Army Commander Joseph Kony. She was ‘married’ to him for 11 years and had 3 children with him.

She was also taken to South Sudan, and faced great difficulties there. She recounted that many people drowned while traveling, because they were made to cross a dangerous river.

Her oldest child, who would be about 19 years old now, was captured during a clash. She never set her eyes on her again.

When Evelyn returned home in 2005, most of her relatives rejected her and the children. They were treated as outcasts. Evelyn and other formerly abducted women wanted to show that what happened to them was not their will. Seven of the women came together to start a group known as ‘Rwotlakica’ (God is merciful) and she was chosen as the chair. This initiative grew into WAN.

Other WAN members also shared their stories. Survivors from North East Nigeria were inspired and talked of the horrors they endured in Boko Haram captivity.

Together, survivors from both countries learned that they had suffered many of the same human rights violations, and could come together in advocacy.

Women in North East Nigeria, however, face additional challenges, as war continues.

Hope Never Runs Dry

Allamin Foundation Founder Hajja Hamsatu speaks during the workshop. Photo Credit, Benard Okot.

The fact that North East Nigeria is still in conflict has made it very difficult for the victims, especially those still returning home, to tell their stories.

Hajja Hamsatu, Founder of Allamin Foundation, noted that the victims in Northern Nigeria still face numerous human rights violations.

‘‘Even at the IDP [Internally Displaced Persons’] camp, there have been cases of rape by security personnels and vigilantes in the camps. One of the survivors, a 16 year old girl has a four month old baby, (allegedly from a police man in the IDP camp). Due to this form of treatment, many have gone ahead to be sex workers. Some survivors are being given away in cheap marriages by their parents,’’ she said.

Ms. Hamsatu described her work to support young girls who were abducted by Boko Haram. She started by organising them into social networks in Safe Spaces, providing them life skills, confidence building, self-esteem and empowerment workshops. She then matched existing programs with a grant so that survivors could explore their skills. She noted, however, that there are still numerous obstacles to surmount as many more survivors are emerging, wanting to be part of the network. Affected survivors in the IDP camps do not have access to food on a constant basis. She appeals to the Nigerian government to take responsibility for victims and for children born during captivity.

Interactions with human rights organisations during the workshop renewed hope for victims in northern Nigeria. At the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the National Human Rights Commission the government bodies pledged their commitment towards addressing the plight of survivors and encouraged that victims be supported to write petitions aimed at addressing their issues.

A Brighter Future

Women from Uganda and Nigeria brainstorm ways to overcome the challenges they face and make change. Photo Credit, Benard Okot.

The exchange concluded with action points developed by both participants from Uganda and Nigeria. These are expected to feed into the broader attempts to develop a victim-centered transitional justice process for Nigeria, specifically facilitating survivors of sexual violence to build individual and collective agency as a means of kick starting survivor mobilization, networking in order to influence policy and legislative discussions and processes and providing a space for learning from the lived experiences of survivors of conflict related sexual violence to develop better interventions and responses.

Despite the difficult subjects discussed, the week ended in celebration. The women from Ugandan and Nigeria exchanged gifts, and shared a meal.

JRP looks forward to continuing to partner with people from around the world, and push for social justice and change everywhere.

Transnational exchange between Women’s Advocacy Network and South Sudanese survivors of sexual violence

01 Sep 2018Blog, Initiative UpdatesBenard Okot

Members of Women’s Advocacy Network and South Sudanese during an exchange at Justice and Reconciliation Project office- Photo by David Jame

Why South Sudanese counterparts are hopeful they will not go back the same people

The pursuit of acknowledgement and justice for survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV) continues boldly. Earlier this month, victims of conflict from two countries, Uganda and South Sudan, joined together to share their experiences.

From 15^th to 17^th August 2018, the Justice and Reconciliation Project, together with the Women’s Advocacy Network (WAN), hosted five women from South Sudan. They were accompanied by members of the Foundation for Democracy and Accountable Governance (FODAG). The organisation works in South Sudan to support victims of human rights abuse, especially victims of torture and SGBV.

FODAG aims to reach across borders, encouraging people from multiple countries to share stories and experiences. In fact, this is a key strategy in helping survivors of conflict feel more comfortable speaking about their struggles, and ultimately seeking justice.

The people of northern Uganda are incredibly resilient. They suffered through a two-decade long war, and have progressed greatly, despite the odds being stacked against them. This is a potential source of inspiration for the group from South Sudan.

The aim of WAN members was to share their experiences during conflict, and their post-conflict journeys, emphasizing the power of solidarity as a formidable factor enabling them to come together as survivors and build a strong future. Further, WAN sought to engage their guests in two activities. The first was a workshop during which the two groups could exchange experiences. This was followed by two days of visits to various WAN groups.

The collaboration was incredibly fruitful.

The Power of Solidarity and Stories of Resilience

The exchange featured in-house discussions and experience sharing among the participants. The WAN chairperson explained that she and her colleagues had sat down years ago and in conversation realized that they could advocate for themselves and respond to many pressing issues. Her stories received much attention. She spoke powerfully of how the original seven members were able to defy odds and gain huge amounts of support from other victims. This ultimately lead to the creation of many groups under the umbrella WAN.

Members of Women's Advocacy Network in Awach pose for a group photo together with the SGBV victims from South Sudan after a visit — Members of Women’s Advocacy Network in Awach pose for a group photo together with the SGBV victims from South Sudan following an experience sharing meeting.

Two WAN members added evocatively to the discussion by sharing their experiences in captivity. They were forced to walk long distances and endured brutal punishment and sex slavery. They also faced many challenges as a result of fighting with the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF)

Akello*, a member of WAN, shared her story of rape which caused many of the south Sudanese victims to break down. ‘I was fourteen when I was given to a man of 43 whom I should almost call my grandfather. He turned me to be his wife ……and raped me’. Akello said.

The story of Aloyo* was equally touching for the women, encouraging the five participants from the worlds’ youngest nation to start telling their stories. Aloyo shared, ‘I want to thank God that he protected me to date. I was abducted in 1996 when I was 14. I was straight away given to a man. I had never known a man in my life and I had to bear helplessly………after a year I became pregnant, but that man also died, and the suffering continued.’

Through the various advocacy efforts, both locally and internationally, WAN members continue to share their experiences and as well as learn from other networks of survivors that have been through similar traumas. According to them, this will strengthen collaborations and increase the platforms to learn and advocate together on issues affecting survivors of conflict SGBV.

At the close of the event, WAN members held a debrief meeting to reflect on what was gained from this experiences exchange. Great satisfaction was immediately expressed by the South Sudanese who explained that they had learnt a great deal and will not go back home the same people.

The two parties concluded that in spite of all they went through, they will not sit and wallow in pain and misery. Rather they will work hard to alleviate the challenges they are facing.

*Not their real names

A place to call home

13 Oct 2016BlogBenard Okot, Child Reintegration, Children born of war, gender justice, Women's Advocacy NetworkBenard Okot

Acen*, a child born into LRA captivity, is received home by her paternal family with prayer in September 2016. Benard Okot/Justice and Reconciliation Project.

Acen* is a fifteen year old girl who was born into LRA captivity. She has been living with her mother in Gulu since 2005 when her mother escaped with her as a young baby. Acen had asked her mother, Janet Aloyo*, several times about her father. Her mother told her that he had died in the bush, which meant that they could not locate his home. Acen is in secondary school and her mother finds it difficult to pay her school fees. Being a single mother, Aloyo also singlehandedly takes care of four other children she had after returning from captivity.

This year, the Women’s Advocacy Network, an association of women who have been affected by the LRA war, has partnered with JRP and Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice to help situations like these by facilitating family reunions and dialogues. Aloyo is one of several women who have now used the network successfully to trace the paternal homes of their children. Initially, she had started looking three months after she returned from captivity. A decade later, however, she had seen very little success. She told me there was only person whom she knew as a relative to the family of the father of her child was a woman, an aunt she used to talk to about taking her daughter home. But her efforts were frustrated when the Aunt died and she lost her only connection to the family.

“When she died I thought that was the end of everything,” Aloyo said.

She found it difficult to approach the family of her child because she was afraid that they may not listen to her or believe her. She also feared the family may be hostile to her since she knew many of the family members were killed by rebels during the war. She was worried that going to them to talk about their past would add more pain to them.

According to Aloyo, the network of women together with JRP made her see light at the end of tunnel by facilitating dialogues between her, her family and Acen’s father’s family.

This past September, at Acen’s father’s home, it all culminated on a sunny day when over thirty people were eagerly waiting to receive Acen, Aloyo and Aloyo’s family members. A team of theology students led by their pastor, who happened to be Acen’s uncle, was also present to grace the home for the coming of their daughter. Acen was welcomed with a prayer and smeared with anointing oil on her forehead as a symbol of her becoming a part of the family.

Aloyo was overwhelmed with the way she and her daughter were received. “Today, it is like I am giving birth to this girl again. My child has an identity and a place to belong,” she said proudly.

The family promised Acen support to see her through her education and to provide for her basic needs. Her mother was also promised land to use for farming. On the day, Acen assured her family that she would strive hard to complete her education.

It marked the beginning of relationship between the two families and Acen finally has a place to call home.

“I will take her as my own daughter and we will share the same food,” Acen’s uncle said during the event. “We will eat from the same table. When she is crying I will be also crying. If I am laughing she will laugh. The past has gone already, you are home. Be blessed and we love you so much.”

*Not their real names