Addressing gender based violence and psychosocial support among South Sudanese refugee settlements in northern Uganda

Intervention ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rose Mogga
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
South Sudanese ◽  
Gender Based

scholarly journals South Sudanese Refugee Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Torture: Health and Justice Service Responses in Northern Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Liebling ◽  
Hazel Barrett ◽  
Lilly Artz
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
South Sudanese ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

This British Academy/Leverhulme-funded research investigated the health and justice service responses to the needs of South Sudanese refugees living in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda who had been subjected to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and torture. It involved the collection and thematic analysis of the narratives of 20 men and 41 women who were refugee survivors of SGBV and torture, including their experiences in South Sudan, their journeys to Uganda and experiences in refugee settlements, in particular their access to health and justice services. Thirty-seven key stakeholders including international, government, non-government organisations and civil society organisations were also interviewed regarding their experiences of providing health and justice services to refugees. All refugees had survived human rights abuses mainly carried out in South Sudan but some had also occurred on route to Uganda and within Uganda. Despite the significant impact of their experiences, the analysis indicated that there was limited service response in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda once the immediate humanitarian crisis ended. The thematic analysis indicated five main themes coming from the interviews. These included: the nature of refugee experiences of SGBV and torture, including domestic violence and child abduction and forced marriage; issues associated with service provision such as lack of adequate screening and under resourcing of health and justice services; a lack of gender sensitivity and specialist services, particularly for men; the sustained involvement of civil society organisations and local non-governmental organisations in providing counselling and offering emotional support and hope to survivors; and enhancing health and justice responses and services to improve refugee recovery, dignity and resilience. The authors recommend that integrated gendered and culturally sensitive service provision should be adopted, which brings together formal and informal health, justice services and survivor support programmes.

Sexual and gender-based violence and torture experiences of Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda: health and justice responses

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-414
Author(s):  
Helen Jane Liebling ◽  
Hazel Rose Barrett ◽  
Lillian Artz
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Rights Abuses ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Sudanese Refugees

Purpose This British Academy/Leverhulme-funded research (Grant number: SG170394) investigated the experiences and impact of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and torture on South Sudanese refugees’ health and rights and the responses of health and justice services in Northern Uganda. Design/methodology/approach It involved thematic analysis of the narratives of 20 men and 41 women refugees’ survivors of SGBV and torture; this included their experiences in South Sudan, their journeys to Uganda and experiences in refugee settlements. In total, 37 key stakeholders including health and justice providers, police, non-government and government organisations were also interviewed regarding their experiences of providing services to refugees. Findings All refugees had survived human rights abuses carried out in South Sudan, on route to Uganda and within Uganda. Incidents of violence, SGBV, torture and other human rights abuses declined significantly for men in Uganda, but women reported SGBV incidents. The research demonstrates linkages between the physical, psychological, social/cultural and justice/human rights impact on women and men refugees, which amplified the impact of their experiences. There was limited screening, physical and psychological health and support services; including livelihoods and education. Refugees remained concerned about violence and SGBV in the refugee settlements. While they all knew of the reporting system for such incidents, they questioned the effectiveness of the process. For this reason, women opted for family reconciliation rather than reporting domestic violence or SGBV to the authorities. Men found it hard to report incidences due to high levels of stigma and shame. Research limitations/implications Refugees largely fled South Sudan to escape human rights abuses including, persecution, SGBV and torture. Their experiences resulted in physical, psychological, social-cultural and justice effects that received limited responses by health and justice services. An integrated approach to meeting refugees’ needs is required. Practical implications The authors make recommendations for integrated gender sensitive service provision for refugees including more systematic screening, assessment and treatment of SGBV and torture physical and emotional injuries combined with implementation of livelihoods and social enterprises. Social implications The research demonstrates that stigma and shame, particularly for male refugee survivors of SGBV and torture, impacts on ability to report these incidents and seek treatment. Increasing gender sensitivity of services to these issues, alongside provision of medical treatment for injuries, alongside improved informal justice processes, may assist to counteract shame and increase disclosure. Originality/value There is currently a lack of empirical investigation of this subject area, therefore this research makes a contribution to the subject of understanding refugees’ experiences of SGBV and torture, as well as their perceptions of service provision and response. This subject is strategically important due to the pressing need to develop integrated, gendered and culturally sensitive services that listen to the voices and draw on the expertise of refugees themselves while using their skills to inform improvements in service responses and policy.

Social Action Committees: Community Intervention to Reduce Gender-based Violence

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Vindhya ◽  
Lakshmi Lingam
Keyword(s):  
Social Action ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
South India ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Self Help Groups

This article analyses the principles and processes of a state-sponsored intervention to deal with gender-based violence in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in south India. Anchored within a poverty-alleviation programme, this intervention is implemented through Social Action Committees (SACs) which are small groups of women drawn from women’s collectives of self-help groups (SHGs). In this article, we critically explicate three key themes that we found to be characterising the philosophy and processes of the SAC intervention: restorative justice, psychosocial support, and engagement with men.

scholarly journals Lifetime prevalence, correlates and health consequences of gender-based violence victimisation and perpetration among men and women in Somalia

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. e000773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L Wirtz ◽  
Nancy A Perrin ◽  
Amelie Desgroppes ◽  
Verena Phipps ◽  
Ali A Abdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Partner Violence ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Parental Violence ◽  
Humanitarian Emergencies ◽  
Sexual Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Gender Based

BackgroundHumanitarian emergencies increase the risk of gender-based violence (GBV). We estimated the prevalence of GBV victimisation and perpetration among women and men in urban settings across Somalia, which has faced decades of war and natural disasters that have resulted in massive population displacements.MethodsA population-based survey was conducted in 14 urban areas across Somalia between December 2014 and November 2015.ResultsA total of 2376 women and 2257 men participated in the survey. One in five men (22.2%, 95% CI 20.5 to 23.9) and one in seven (15.5%; 95% CI 14.1 to 17.0) women reported physical or sexual violence victimisation during childhood. Among women, 35.6% (95% CI 33.4 to 37.9) reported adult lifetime experiences of physical or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and 16.5% (95% CI 15.1 to 18.1) reported adult lifetime experience of physical or sexual non-partner violence (NPV). Almost one-third of men (31.2%; 95% CI 29.4 to 33.1) reported victimisation as an adult, the majority of which was physical violence. Twenty-two per cent (21.7%; 95% CI 19.5 to 24.1) of men reported lifetime sexual or physical IPV perpetration and 8.1% (95% CI 7.1 to 9.3) reported lifetime sexual or physical NPV perpetration. Minority clan membership, displacement, exposure to parental violence and violence during childhood were common correlates of IPV and NPV victimisation and perpetration among women and men. Victimisation and perpetration were also strongly associated with recent depression and experiences of miscarriage or stillbirth.ConclusionGBV is prevalent and spans all regions of Somalia. Programmes that support nurturing environments for children and provide health and psychosocial support for women and men are critical to prevent and respond to GBV.

Health Services for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Northern Uganda: A Qualitative Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (31) ◽  
pp. 122-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirkka Henttonen ◽  
Charlotte Watts ◽  
Bayard Roberts ◽  
Felix Kaducu ◽  
Matthias Borchert
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Gender Based

Patterns of Gender-Based Violence in Conflict-Affected Ukraine: A Descriptive Analysis of Internally Displaced and Local Women Receiving Psychosocial Services

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110630
Author(s):  
Ariadna Capasso ◽  
Halyna Skipalska ◽  
Urmi Chakrabarti ◽  
Sally Guttmacher ◽  
Peter Navario ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Line ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Psychosocial Services ◽  
Gender Based

Since 2014, a protracted armed conflict has afflicted eastern Ukraine, resulting in the displacement of over 1.4 million residents. The resulting humanitarian crisis has placed women, particularly displaced women, at greater risk of gender-based violence (GBV). In Ukraine, reports of GBV were higher following the start of the conflict (22.4% in 2014 vs. 18.3% in 2007), with displaced women suffering from GBV nearly three times more than non-displaced residents (15.2% vs. 5.3%). Many GBV incidents in Ukraine have been reported along the “contact line,” the border separating government from non-government-controlled areas. This study compares types of GBV experienced by displaced and local (non-displaced) women receiving psychosocial support in order to identify the gaps in services during a time of conflict. Data was collected by mental healthcare providers from 11,826 women (25.5% displaced; 74.5% local) aged 15 to 69 receiving psychosocial services in five conflict-affected regions from February 2016 to June 2017. Group differences were assessed using Pearson’s chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables. Overall, almost half of the women experienced intimate partner violence and psychological abuse. Compared to residents, displaced women were more likely to report non-domestic GBV incidents involving sexual and economic violence. Almost 8% of violent incidents against displaced women occurred at checkpoints or at reception centers for internally displaced persons (IDP) and 20% were perpetrated by armed men. Consistent with the literature, this study suggests that displaced women are more vulnerable to attacks by persons outside the home and by armed groups. Our findings underscore the need to expand violence prevention programs to address the unique vulnerabilities of displaced women before, during, and after displacement. Programs should be tailored to prevent violence within and outside the home. Increased prevention efforts are needed in areas with high concentrations of armed men, along the contact line, and at IDP reception centers to protect displaced women. This is particularly urgent in the context of increased GBV due to COVID-19.

Using reproductive health services to address sexual and gender-based violence in post-conflict northern Uganda.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keneth Opiro ◽  
Francis Pebolo Pebalo ◽  
Neil Scolding ◽  
Charlotte Hardy
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Abstract Background Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including rape and child sexual abuse, remains a significant challenge in post-conflict northern Uganda, including within refugee settlements. Many victims have never sought help from health-related services. Consequently, the scale of the problem is unknown, and SGBV victims’ injuries, both psychological and physical, remain undetected and unaddressed. We hypothesized that health workers in rural Reproductive Health Services could provide a valuable resource for SGBV screening and subsequent referral for support. Methods Our project had three elements. First, Reproductive Health Service workers were trained in the knowledge and skills needed to screen for and identify women who had experienced SGBV, using a questionnaire-based approach. Second, the screening questionnaire was used by reproductive health workers over a 3-month period, and the data analysed to explore the scale and nature of the problem. Third, victims detected were offered referral as appropriate to hospital services and/or the ActionAid SURGE (Strengthening Uganda’s Response to Gender Equality) shelter in Gulu. Results 1656 women were screened. 778 (47%) had a history of SGBV, including 123 victims of rape and 505 victims of non-sexual violence. 1,254 (76%) had been directly or indirectly affected by conflict experiences; 1066 had lived in IDP camps. 145 (9%) were referred at their request to Gulu SGBV Shelter under SURGE. Of these, 25 attended the shelter and received assistance, and a further 20 received telephone counselling. Conclusion Undetected SGBV remains a problem in post-conflict northern Uganda. Reproductive Health Service workers, following specific training, can effectively screen for and identify otherwise unreported and unassisted cases of SGBV. Future work will explore scaling up to include screening in hospital A&E departments, incorporate approaches to screening for male victims, and the impact of taking both screening and support services to rural communities through local clinics with mobile teams.

scholarly journals Client-perpetrated gender-based violence among female sex workers in conflict-affected Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e046894
Author(s):  
Simple Ouma ◽  
Rawlance Ndejjo ◽  
Catherine Abbo ◽  
Nazarius M Tumwesigye
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Gender Based

Study objectiveTo determine the prevalence and associated factors of client-perpetrated gender-based violence among female sex workers in conflict-affected Northern Uganda.Design and settingsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among female sex workers in Gulu district in conflict-affected Northern Uganda.ParticipantsThe study participants included 300 female sex workers aged 18+ years. The participants were selected using simple random sampling from a database of female sex workers maintained at a national non-governmental organisation in Gulu.Outcome measureThe outcome measure was self-reported exposure to client-perpetrated gender-based violence.MethodsWe used a pretested semistructured questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, sex work-related characteristics, alcohol use, illicit drug use, HIV status and self-reported exposure to client-perpetrated gender-based violence. Then, data were entered into Epi Info V.7 and analysed using Stata V.14.0.ResultsAmong participants, 61.0% reported client-perpetrated gender-based violence. Economic (58.7%) and emotional (52.0%) violence were the most common forms of client-perpetrated gender-based violence in this population. Independently, being: street-based (adjusted OR=9.66, 95% CI 2.78 to 33.5), mobile (adjusted OR=3.21, 95% CI 1.83 to 5.64), HIV-positive (adjusted OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.31) and a low-income earner (<USh200 000 monthly) (adjusted OR=2.26, 95% CI 1.18 to 4.30) were positively associated with exposure to client-perpetrated gender-based violence.ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of client-perpetrated gender-based violence among female sex workers in conflict-affected Northern Uganda. Furthermore, female sex workers who were street-based, mobile, HIV-positive and low-income earners were more likely to experience client-perpetrated gender-based violence. The ministry of health and the development partners need to provide targeted public health interventions to prevent and manage the rampant gender-based violence among this underserved population.

scholarly journals Expressões da violência conjugal e serviços percorridos na rede

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2368
Author(s):  
Gilvânia Patrícia do Nascimento Paixão ◽  
Nadirlene Pereira Gomes ◽  
Fernanda Matheus Estrela ◽  
Jemima Raquel Lopes Santos ◽  
Moniky Araújo da Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Community Health Nursing ◽  
Conjugal Violence ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
Las Mujeres ◽  
Health Nursing ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
La Red ◽  
Gender Asymmetry

RESUMOObjetivo: desvelar as expressões da violência conjugal vivenciada por mulheres e os serviços percorridos por conta do agravo. Método: estudo qualitativo, descritivo, ancorado na categoria de gênero. Entrevistaram-se 19 mulheres em vivência de violência conjugal. Analisaram-se os dados a partir da técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Resultados: as mulheres experienciaram violência, expressa nas formas patrimonial, moral, psicológica, sexual e física. Diante o sofrimento desencadeado pelo fenômeno, as mulheres percorreram serviço hospitalar, delegacia, vara de violência e a casa abrigo, além de contar com o apoio da associação de mulheres, criada na comunidade para tal fim. Conclusão: o conhecimento acerca das expressões da assimetria de gênero na vida das mulheres e os serviços buscados poderá subsidiar o preparo dos profissionais da saúde para o reconhecimento do agravo e encaminhamento na rede. Descritores: Violência Contra a Mulher; Redes de Apoio Social; Estratégias de Enfrentamento; Violência Baseada em Gênero; Enfermagem em Saúde Comunitária; Violência Doméstica.ABSTRACT Objective: to unveil the expressions of conjugal violence experienced by women and the services attended due to it. Method: qualitative, descriptive study, anchored in the gender category. Nineteen women experiencing conjugal violence were interviewed. Data were analyzed from the technique of the Collective Subject Discourse. Results: women experienced patrimonial, moral, psychological, physical and sexual violence. Regarding the suffering caused by the phenomenon, women attended hospital service, police, violence court and shelter home, in addition to having the support from women’s association, created in the community for this purpose. Conclusion: the knowledge of expressions of gender asymmetry in the lives of women and the services sought may subsidize the preparation of health professionals to recognize the phenomenon and referral in the network. Descriptors: Violence Against Women; Psychosocial Support Systems; Coping Strategies; Gender-Based Violence; Community Health Nursing; Domestic Violence. RESUMEN Objetivo: develar las expresiones de violencia conyugal vivida por las mujeres y los servicios recorridos por el agravio. Método: estudio cualitativo, descriptivo, anclado en la categoría de género. Se entrevistó a 19 mujeres en la experiencia de la violencia conyugal. Los datos fueron analizados a partir de la técnica del Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo. Resultados: las mujeres han sufrido violencia, expresada en las formas patrimonial, moral, psicológica, física y sexual. Ante el sufrimiento causado por el fenómeno, la mujer recorrió el servicio del hospital, la policía, el juzgado de la violencia y de la casa abrigo, además de contar con el apoyo de la asociación de mujeres, creada en la comunidad para este fin. Conclusión: el conocimiento de las expresiones de la asimetría de género en la vida de las mujeres y los servicios solicitados podrá subvencionar la preparación de los profesionales de la salud en el reconocimiento de la responsabilidad extracontractual y el enrutamiento en la red. Descriptores: Violencia Contra la Mujer; Sistemas de Apoyo Psicosocial; Estrategias de Enfrentamiento; Violencia de Género; Enfermería en Salud Comunitaria;  Violencia Doméstica.

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