Throughout the LRA conflict women and youth faced grave atrocities such as gender-based violence, forced marriage, and disruption of education and economic opportunities. These women and youth risk being omitted from justice and peace debates in Uganda if their unique experiences and reintegration challenges are overlooked. Acholi traditional justice mechanisms, especially mato oput and nyono tong gweno, are often promoted as a locally appropriate approach to address these issues in northern Uganda. Despite this, little has been documented about the attitudes of women and youth towards traditional approaches and the impacts of these practices on their processes of healing and recovery.

Based on opinions gathered from focus group discussions and individual interviews with war-affected women and youth throughout Acholi sub-region, this report explores the relevancy of traditional justice mechanisms to the unique justice, reintegration and reconciliation needs of women and youth. It also discusses their current role in the decision-making and negotiation process of traditional justice mechanisms, and whether that role sufficiently represents their needs and opinions in the healing process. Finally, specific policy recommendations are offered to key stakeholders on ideal ways to address and incorporate the concerns of women and youth into traditional justice mechanisms.

Read the entire report here: Gender and Generations in Acholi Traditional Mechanisms (pdf)