The impact of conflict on women's reproductive rights in Uganda 1990-2010 : a case study of Gulu District

Abstract

This study envisaged an analysis of the impact of LRA conflict on women's reproductive rights in Uganda, a case study of Gulu district covering the Sub Counties of Koro and Bungatira. Reproductive health was not only construed as population and fertility control policy, but also as an empowerment of women to have safe motherhood, make informed decisions. About reproductive health issues, and avoid unsafe / unwanted pregnancy and gender-based violence. It was based on the conceptual premise that Human beings are at the center of concern for development. The study used both descriptive and case study designs. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to conduct the study. Data collection methods included; key informants' interviews, questionnaire and documentary analysis. The consistency of the tools and methods to produce expected results was the ultimate goal for this study. Data was coded entered into EPI DATA computer package and exported to SPSS for analysis. The analyzed data was intuitively interpreted for meanings and conclusions. Cross tabulation and linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between conflict and reproductive health. The study revealed that women were not aware of their reproductive rights. Most respondents conceptualized reproductive rights as family planning services. The insecurity had curtailed improvements to reproductive health services and facilities. Access to better equipped district hospitals was severely limited for many women, due to lack of transport, restricted freedom of movement un like men. Women did not have free access to family planning services. The melancholic state of health services in the conflict affected areas and failure of the state to take a comprehensive approach to improve health service delivery, coupled with the long distances covered to reach health centers had made the efforts for remedying the situation very futile. The existing cultural and tradition norms have exacerbated the reproductive right problem. Women preferred traditional to legal means in securing their reproductive rights: Women had limited access to birth control measures; HIV AIDS spread was high because of limited information, and preventive measures regarding the spread of the virus and general limited health care for women. The study concluded that the conflict led to physical injuries like wounds, damage to sexual organs. Women experienced gynecological problems, trauma and psychological problems, and clandestine abortions due to the conflict and inadequate health care services due to dilapidated health infrastructure. The legal mandates for reproductive rights in place-had a backstopping as they were insensitive to the local situation. There was a positive relationship between information access and utilization of reproductive health services. The study recommended that media houses should be facilitated both by government and NGOs to expose the massive violations of women's reproductive rights. The government should re-orient her approaches in policy design and programmes management as regards reproductive health service delivery. The NGOs and CSOs should design programmes that will empower the local communities to advocate for their reproductive rights.