The purpose of this project was to study the long-term effects of wartime sexual violence on women survivors and families of survivors living in post-conflict regions of northern Uganda.

The definition of conflict-related sexual violence used in this project accords with the most recent definition developed by the United Nations Security Council that defines it as “rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization and other forms of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against women, men, girls or boys that is linked, directly or indirectly (temporally, geographically or causally) to a conflict. This link may be evident in the profile of the perpetrator; the profile of the victim; in a climate of impunity or State collapse; in the cross-border dimensions; and/or in violations of the terms of a ceasefire agreement.”

The project (a) explored the effects of wartime sexual violence on women’s health, relationships, and care-seeking behavior, (b) examined the ripple effects of this violence on families of female survivors, and (c) provided a descriptive analysis of intimate-partner violence in areas of Uganda affected by conflict.

The project was led by Dr. Mahlet A. Woldetsadik during her doctoral studies at the Pardee RAND Graduate School in Santa Monica, California and conducted in collaboration with the Justice Reconciliation Project and the Women’s Advocacy Network.

The projects findings and recommendations are summarized in a policy brief developed from the project.

For any questions regarding the project, please contact Dr. Mahlet at mahal.meare@gmail.com.

Read the policy brief developed from the project here .