On November 25, 2002, Isis Women's International Cross-Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE) launched the video documentary entitled "A Lingering Pain: Women and War in Uganda" in Kampala.
For more than 25 years, Uganda has suffered cyclic political upheavals, which have resulted in armed conflicts. As in all wars and armed conflict situations, women and children have been targeted and have experienced various forms of gender based violence. The documentary highlights a grippingly sad account of Uganda women war survivors who, despite the abductions, rapes and torture at the hands of warring parties, unite against the evils that degrade their humanity. The story of horror unfolds through bizarre experiences, from a young girl abducted and forced to kill, to Christine, who was set ablaze but miraculously survived, as armed aggression rips Uganda societies apart.
"A Lingering Pain" is a struggle of the female voice, which amidst the chaos and waste created by war, re-emerges with amazing resilience to challenge the greed, subordination, and humiliation characterizing many armed conflict situations on the African continent.
The documentary is aimed at raising awareness in Uganda and the Great Lakes region on the need to resolve conflicts amicably and to uphold the respect of women's human rights. The analysis provided by different experts is yet a strategy to influence policy makers to design appropriate mechanisms for redress.
The launch of the documentary was Isis-WICCE's opening activity during the 16 days of Activism as a campaign tool against all forms of violence against women. The launch was preceded with talk shows on radio and television broadcasting.
The workshop will be held in Burundi in collaboration with the Women's Peace Center of Search for Common Ground; Bujumbura, Burundi. The training is scheduled during the 16 days of Activism to enable participants share experiences on the various rights abuses as well as coming up with strategies and resolutions that call for an end to discrimination and violation of women's rights especially in situations of armed conflict.
Last update: November-27, 2002