Experiences of forced mothers in northern Uganda: the legacy of war
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Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Intervention
Abstract
From 1986^2007, the Lord’s Resistance Army
in£icted severe su¡ering on civilians in northern
Uganda through indiscriminate killing and child
abductions. While both abducted boys and girls
were trained to use arms, girls were commonly
distributed among commanders as forced ‘wives’.
These traumatised girls and young women (both
pregnant and ‘forced mothers’) were retained in
rehabilitation centres longer than any other excombatants.
While they may have been accorded
special privileges in the centres, after reintegration,
their home communities stigmatised and discriminated
against both mothers and children.This paper
discusses the experiences of forced mothers and
their children, while at rehabilitation centres, and
through the reintegration process. Additionally,
it examines how communities should be stimulated
to view forced mothers and their children as
survivors of multiple human rights violations.
Description
Keywords
Children, Forced motherhood, Psychosocial needs, Reintegration, Uganda
Citation
Akello, G. (2013). Experiences of forced mothers in northern Uganda: the legacy of war. Intervention, 11(2), 149-156.