The Role of Women in Conflict Resolution in Post War Northern Uganda

Abstract

The topic of the study was the role of women in conflict resolution in post war northern Uganda using a case study of Gulu district. The study was guided by three objectives namely; to examine the intervention women apply in conflict resolution in Gulu district; assess the effect of women intervention in conflict resolution in Gulu district; and the challenges women face in playing their role in resolving conflict in Gulu district. The study employed a case study design and used qualitative and quantitative approaches. Different methods were employed in data collection and analysis including survey, interview, and documentary review methods. To select study population, simple random and purposive were employed. SPSS was used in data entry and generation of descriptive statistics. The study constituted of 164 respondents and was guided the Principled negotiation by Roger Fisher and Bill Ury. Regarding the findings, on intervention employed by women in conflict resolution, engagement in politics and government, women groups, women activism was found out. Regarding effects of women efforts in conflicts resolution; promotion of girl-child education and promotion of women groups were found out. On challenges faced by women as they play conflict resolution, limited funded lack of political will, community attitude and inferiority complex were established. Gulu district is a highly patriarchal society. Study concluded that women have been excluded from positions of power and have been subjected to widespread violence and poverty. These situations are the by-product of cultural norms developed over the years in a male dominated political and socio-economic national history. It was recommended that the Government must implement the recommendations relating to women in peace efforts. Discriminatory laws and customs in the areas of marriage, divorce, land rights, inheritance and the administration of estates remain major obstacles to the transformation of women’s lives.