Militarism produces special environments that tolerate increased violence against women and teenage girls. Many women and young girls constantly experiences curious forms of violence and abuse caused by militarism.

In Uganda, several wars took place but the most remarkable one is the Northern Uganda insurgency that lasted for two decades, both the LRA and UPDF military established brothels for soldiers, exploiting women for the purpose of creating access and entitlement for men. Violence against women and young girls impelled by militarism during this unforgotten rebellion led to sexual victimization of women and young girls by the Military and civilians which were out of control and eventually left many with HIV/AIDS.

As a result of the insurgency, women’s vulnerability has increased with situations of poverty, increased violence and abuse of their fundamental human rights, neglect, and lack of opportunities. The escalating trends of sex trafficking, prostitution, early motherhood and increased HIV/AIDS prevalence in Northern Uganda and in particular Acholi Sub-Region in the context of armed conflict are a persistent symptom of the LRA war, where the practice of forced prostitution is widespread and nourished by the different consequences of war on women and young girls in the region. During the war, several cases of sexual abuse and other forms of violence against women such as rape, forced sex, torture in form of limp and lips cutting were not fully documented, for instance, a female victim from Amuru District testified this; 

In order to truly achieve a women-inclusive peace both at home and nationwide, we need to build the connection between militarism and violence against women and we need to admit that sexual violence and other forms of violence is a tool of war that affect women and young girls most. There is also need to take violence against women as seriously as the other violence of war because when men go to war, women and children are overwhelmingly the innocent victims. Finally, in addition to peace in home, we also need peace in the nation: therefore, let’s challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women.

By
Egwel Gilbert
WOUGNET – Amuru/Gulu Project