Thousands of children were born as a result of sexual violence in northern Uganda during the armed conflict that lasted from 1986 to 2007. Now, as teenagers and young adults who are trying to find their place back in their communities, these young men and women face a multitude of challenges – including stigma, poverty, and social exclusion – which hinder their reintegration into society and their future prospects.
Over the two-decade conflict, girls and young women were specifically targeted for sexual violence by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and, in some cases, state forces. Among the serious crimes committed by the LRA, led by the infamous Joseph Kony, it is estimated that some 66,000 children and youth were abducted to serve as soldiers or sex slaves.
ICTJ spoke with 249 people in the northern regions of Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile in April 2015 to analyze the long-term consequences of the lack of accountability sexual violence committed during the conflict. Among those interviewed there were 52 children born of sexual violence (27 girls, 25 boys), who reflected on the challenges they face through group discussions and drawing exercises.
Nothing can capture more clearly the ongoing impact of sexual violence than the words written by these young women and men. This photo gallery presents a selection of their drawings and thoughts on how their communities perceive them and how they see themselves and their hopes for the future.
Children born of sexual violence are marginalized in northern Uganda. They are scorned for coming “from the bush,” they are labeled as “useless,” “cursed,” “failures,” “mad,” and even “monsters.” They are constantly reminded of their association to Joseph Kony, when people call them “child of Kony” or “wife of Kony.”
Deep social stigmatization and exclusion often affects the children’s mothers and caretakers as well. “In Lamwo, where my grandparents stay, others abuse my grandparents because of me, others tell them to send me away to my mother, but because of their love they can’t,” wrote a 14-year-old girl from Pader District.
When describing themselves in these drawings, the adolescents show resilience in moving past this rejection. They see themselves as “beautiful,” “innocent,” “positive,” “proud,” and capable of building a better future for themselves, their communities, and their country.
“Being a war-affected person cannot prevent me from being either a doctor or the President of Uganda.” wrote a 19-year-old male from Oyam District.
Nevertheless, many express contradictory feelings and frustration caused by the institutional neglect and total lack of opportunities. “Sometimes I lose hope because I have nothing,” wrote a young male from Gulu.
Many participants emphasize that they need support in order to have successful futures and contribute to their communities. They often describe themselves as “poor” and see their economic struggle as a major obstacle in achieving the goals.
“I want to study so that I can be responsible, but no one can support me in paying my school fees requirement. I don’t know where to go!!!” wrote a young girl from Gulu.
Most of the adolescents see education as the essential step towards personal improvement, and they often link their own well-being to that of their communities and their country. In the words of a young girl from Gulu: “I see myself as useful to the community and I am working hard to change my life. I am hoping to have a good living. I want to help my parents, relatives and all of Uganda.”
As ICTJ’s new report concludes, the social and economic challenges suffered by children born of sexual violence in Uganda and their mothers need urgent attention. The Ugandan government must to listen to these young women and men’s demands, acknowledge that their rights were violated, and provide the redress to which they are entitled.
Read and download ICTJ’s report “From Rejection to Redress: Overcoming Legacies of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Northern Uganda,” and watch our film about their fight for justice.
