scholarly journals Impact of war on women: Iyorwuese Hagher’s Lamp of Peace

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 460-469
Author(s):  
Jonathan Desen Mbachaga
Keyword(s):  
Nongovernmental Organizations ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Effects Of War

Africa as a continent has been ravaged by wars that have brought untold hardship and retardation to development. Militarization and war places various demands on both males and females. This study concentrates on how females have been used as sex slaves and have now become vulnerable to rape and outright fighting in the wars. Extenuating the effects of war with its irreparable losses and psychological trauma in recent times has been the focus of governments, nongovernmental organizations and philanthropists. The devastation caused by the conflicts, the destruction to communities and the suffering of women and girls cannot be over emphasized. Recent years have seen many regions of Africa involved in wars and internal or external conflicts. From Liberia to Sierra Leone; Angola, The Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda; Burundi, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire to Sudan, the story is a sad and saddening one. Therefore, this article discusses the effects of armed conflicts on women and girls, using Iyorwuese Hagher’s Lamp of Peace as a textual reference. It employs the literary method to consider the response of Iyorwuese Hagher as a playwright regarding the outcry against war atrocities against women. The paper argues that glaring gaps still exist regarding the protection of women and girls during armed conflicts. As such, women and girls deserve special attention that focuses on protection as they are both victims of abuse and actors in reconstruction. Keywords: War, Atrocities on women, Protection and rehabilitation, Lamp of Peace, Africa

Motivations for sexual violence in armed conflicts: voices from combatants in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-33
Author(s):  
Ali Bitenga Alexandre ◽  
Kitoka Moke Mutondo ◽  
Juvenal Bazilashe Balegamire ◽  
Amini Emile ◽  
Denis Mukwege
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Republic Of Congo

War and Genocide in Africa's Great Lakes since Independence

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar McDoom
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Regional Context ◽  
Heart Of Darkness ◽  
Violence Against Civilians ◽  
Effects Of War ◽  
Critical Overview

Every generation born since independence in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Burundi has lived through either a war or genocide. A low-end estimate of deaths that resutled would stand at 1.4 million while 2.6 million would be at the high end. They would increase considerably if the indirect effects of war and genocide, notably disease and hunger, were also counted. These numbers have reinforced perceptions of the region as Africa's heart of darkness. This article aims to summarize the postcolonial record. It describes all the principal episodes of violence against civilians in each country since independence. It also provides a critical overview of the violence. It identifies the characteristics that define the regional context in which these numerous episodes of violence occurred.

scholarly journals Vécu Des Enfants Soldats Pendant La Guerre: Une Analyse À Partir Des Projets De l’Organisation Non Gouvernemental Caritas Makeni En Sierra Léone

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 256
Author(s):  
Gnamien Yawa Ossi
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Central African Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Child Soldiers ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Child Soldier ◽  
Armed Groups ◽  
Social Reintegration ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

The phenomenon of «child soldier» has become very rampant these last years. In Africa, they are very common in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in Chad, in Uganda, in Sierra Leone, and in Côte d’Ivoire. More recently, they are in Mali and in the Central African Republic. However, armed conflicts have imposed various situations on populations. The children are the main victims. The focus of this study is on child soldiers during times of war. The main objective of this study is to analyze the ways they join the armed groups and the difficulties of their social reintegration. The objective of this study is to analyze the recruitment conditions of children and the difficulties of social reintegration. The hypothesis postulates that there is a link between the passage of the children in armed groups and their psychosocial outcome. The study took place in Sierra Leone. The quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The results of the study show that: the mode of recruitment of children has an influence on their social reintegration. Also, the violent practices in armed conflicts are obstacles to their social reintegration.

scholarly journals How should community health workers in fragile contexts be supported: Qualitative evidence from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Democratic Republic of Congo

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Raven ◽  
Haja Wurie ◽  
Ayesha Idriss ◽  
Abdulai Jawo Bah ◽  
Amuda Baba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) are critical players in fragile settings, where staff shortages are particularly acute, health indicators are poor and progress towards Universal Health Coverage is slow. Like other health workers, CHWs need support to contribute effectively to health programmes and promote health equity. Yet the evidence base of what kind of support works best is weak. We present evidence from three fragile settings - Sierra Leone, Liberia and Democratic Republic of Congo on managing CHWs, and synthesise recommendations for best approaches to support this critical cadre.Methods: We used a qualitative study design to explore how CHWs are managed, the challenges they face and potential solutions. We conducted interviews with decision makers and managers (n=37), life history interviews with CHWs (n=15) and reviewed policy documents. Results: Fragility disrupts education of community members so that they may not have the literacy levels required for the CHW role. This has implications for the selection, role, training and performance of CHWs. Policy preferences about selection need discussion at the community level, so that they reflect community realities. CHWs scope of work is varied and may change over time, requiring ongoing training. The modular, local, and mix of practical and classroom training approach worked well, helping to address gender and literacy challenges and developing a supportive cohort of CHWs. A package of supervision, community support, regular provision of supplies, performance rewards and regular remuneration is vital to retention and performance of CHWs. But there are challenges with supervision, scarcity of supplies, inadequate community recognition and unfulfilled promises about allowances. Clear communication about incentives with facility staff and communities is required as is their timely delivery.Conclusions: This is the first study that has explored the management of CHWs in fragile settings. CHWs interface role between communities and health systems is critical because of their embedded positionality and the trusting relationships they (often) have. Their challenges are aligned to those generally faced by CHWs but chronic fragility exacerbates them and requires innovative problem solving to ensure that countries and communities are not left behind in reforming the way that CHWs are supported.

scholarly journals The Parameters of Enslavement and the Act of Forced Marriage

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 895-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Haenen
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Charles Taylor ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Trial Chamber ◽  
Forced Marriage ◽  
Sexual Slavery ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Definition Of

During several recent conflicts, such as the ones in Sierra Leone, Cambodia, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, women and girls – but sometimes also men and boys – were abducted and enslaved into so-called forced marriages. The Special Court for Sierra Leone issued several judgments in which it discussed the legal qualification of the act of forced marriage. In its most recent judgment, the trial judgment in the case against Charles Taylor, the Trial Chamber held that forced marriage amounts to sexual slavery. This article briefly discusses the relevant case law on forced marriage and examines the Trial Chamber’s conclusion in the Charles Taylor Judgement that forced marriage is a form of sexual slavery. For this purpose, the definition of enslavement is analysed and the parameters of this crime are set out. Building on the reasoning of the Trial Chamber in the Taylor case, the article concludes that forced marriage does indeed amount to a slavery crime and is best qualified as the broader crime of enslavement.

scholarly journals How should community health workers in fragile contexts be supported: Qualitative evidence from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Democratic Republic of Congo

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Raven ◽  
Haja Wurie ◽  
Ayesha Idriss ◽  
Abdulai Jawo Bah ◽  
Amuda Baba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Background Community Health Workers (CHWs) are critical players in fragile settings, where staff shortages are particularly acute, health indicators are poor and progress towards Universal Health Coverage is slow. Like other health workers, CHWs need support to contribute effectively to health programmes and promote health equity. Yet the evidence base of what kind of support works best is weak. We present evidence from three fragile settings - Sierra Leone, Liberia and Democratic Republic of Congo on managing CHWs, and synthesise recommendations for best approaches to support this critical cadre.Methods We used a qualitative study design to explore how CHWs are managed, the challenges they face and potential solutions. We conducted interviews with decision makers and managers (n = 37), life history interviews with CHWs (n = 15) and reviewed policy documents.Results Fragility disrupts education of community members so that they may not have the literacy levels required for the CHW role. This has implications for selection, role, training and performance of CHWs. Policy preferences about selection need discussion at the community level, so that they reflect community realities. CHWs scope of work is varied and may change over time, requiring ongoing training. The modular, local, and mix of practical and classroom training approach worked well, helping to address gender and literacy challenges and develop a supportive cohort of CHWs. A package of supervision, community support, regular provision of supplies, performance rewards and regular remuneration is vital to retention and performance of CHWs. But there are challenges with supervision, scarcity of supplies, inadequate community recognition and unfulfilled promises about allowances. Clear communication about incentives with facility staff and communities is required as is their timely delivery.Conclusions This is the first study that has explored the management of CHWs in fragile settings. CHWs interface role between communities and health systems is critical because of their embedded positionality and the trust they (often) have. Their challenges are aligned to those generally faced by CHWs but chronic fragility exacerbates them and requires innovative problem solving to ensure that countries and communities are not left behind in reforming the way that CHWs are supported.

scholarly journals Fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: a hospital-based retrospective descriptive cohort study assessing correlates of adult mortality

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Munguakonkwa Budema ◽  
Roméo Bujiriri Murhega ◽  
Tshibambe Nathanael Tshimbombu ◽  
Georges Kuyigwa Toha ◽  
Fabrice Gulimwentuga Cikomola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Firearm Injuries ◽  
Biological Variables

Abstract Introduction The Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been the battleground for multiple armed conflicts, resulting in many fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries (F&NFFIs). Chronic insecurity has stressed the health system’s resources and created barriers to seeking, reaching, and receiving timely care further increasing the F&NFFI burden. Our institution is the largest trauma center in the region and receives the bulk of F&NFFI cases. We aimed to identify correlates of mortality in Congolese F&NFFI patients. Methods We included all F&NFFI patients admitted to our institution between 2017 and 2020. We extracted data from patient charts and admission logs. We identified mortality correlates using the two-sample t-test, Chi-square test, and multivariable regression analysis. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results This study included 814 adult patients, mostly male (86%) with an average age of 34.5 years and living 154.4 km away from the hospital on average. The most affected anatomical sites were the lower limbs (48.2%) and upper limbs (23.2%). The median length of stay was 34.0 days, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 3.6%. In addition, mortality was negatively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.01), SaO2 (P < 0.001), and hemoglobin concentration (P = 0.002). Conclusion F&NFFIs cause an enormous burden in the region, and mortality is correlated with some clinical and biological variables. Thus, the study findings will inform F&NFFI referral, triage, and management in low-resource and mass casualty settings.

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