2013 Annual Report

The year 2013 meant a new journey for Isis-WICCE. We began implementing our new strategic plan after series of sessions involving reflections, critiques and strategizing for the future.

We developed our new strategic plan after series of sessions involving reflections, critiques and strategizing for the future. In line with the goals and objectives of the strategic plan, we have amplified voices, we ignited women’s agency to re(create) peace as defined by women. Oftentimes development approaches involve planning on behalf of communities. The implementation of those plans tends to perpetuate inequalities and disenfranchise women.

Our approach to work recognizes and respects the voices of women, girls, men, and boys in armed and post conflict countries. We challenged governments to deliver on policy promises and commitments made at national, regional and international levels through our documentations that reveal gaps in policy implementation particularly for countries where we worked. We provided healing to women; we believe that peace building cannot be sustained without healing the body, mind and spirit of women survivors. Over time, we observed that quantifying this type of work is very difficult, however we have used women’s stories to capture the changes in their lives, we have developed a monitoring framework to help us track the work we do and the difficulties that arise from the nature of our work. We are consoled that when we heal one woman, when we shift one woman’s life, it will impact on her wellbeing and also impact on the socio economic status of her family and the community at large.

Healthy Families for a Peaceful Community

The report presents the highlights of the 4th Peace Exposition held in Kotido district of the Karamoja sub-region. The Peace Expo is one of the national spaces created by Isis-WICCE to afford grassroots women the opportunity to meet their leaders and policymakers as they openly audit national and local post-conflict reconstruction plans as well as their effect on the affected communities.

Kashmir Women; The Burden of Conflict, Half Widowhood and its Psychological Effects.

Isis-WICCE in partnership with Jamme/Kashmir Association carried out a study on the ‘impact of armed conflict on the Health of half widows in Kashmir- India’. The study explored the mental, social and physical impact of violence on the health of the half widows, mothers and sisters whose husbands and male relatives had gone missing due to the conflict. Forty-five women were randomly selected from the three districts of Srinagar, Baramulla and Kupwara of Kashmir valley, comprising of half widows (whose husbands are missing in custody), mothers of disappeared persons (whose sons are missing in custody), sisters (whose brothers are missing in custody) and daughters of the missing persons. Key findings show that half widows have become targets of sexual violence from those viewing them as defenseless.

Pushed to the Periphery; The Necessity of Women’s Innovation in Activating Post Conflict Reconstruction

This report provides an analysis of the extent to which post conflict reconstruction efforts in Burundi, Liberia and Sierra Leone have implemented national commitments for women’s participation in conflict management, post conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation processes, as provided for in UNSCR 1325. Based on semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with women’s activists, the research considered diverse expressions of femininity that speak to notions of “peace” in terms of local women’s groups contribution to bringing peace in all 3 countries, their experiences and knowledge were not taken into account in the post conflict phase neither were they considered key actors that could contribute effectively to post conflict reconstruction.

The Abused Generation; My Child, My Agemate

The report documents Isis– WICCE’s annual Peace Exposition that was held in Kasese in 2011 that focused on ending child marriage in the district. It provided a space for different stakeholders to speak out strongly against the practice of marrying off young girls before the age of 18 that has for long existed in Kasese district. It is a practice that has cast a dark shadow over the future and lives of many young girls.

Child Marriage and its Impact on Development; A Case of Kasese District

Child marriage has continued to be one of the major factors affecting the achievement of development indices and targets in Uganda. This report presents the findings of the study on “Child Marriage and its impact on Development” which was carried out in Kasese district (Western Uganda) in two counties; Busongora North.

The study provides the needed information on the problem of child marriage and its socio economic impact on the society. It directly shows that young children should instead be nurtured for development programmes and progress of society.  Involving the child mothers and fathers at every stage of development calls for looking at the issue of child marriage with holistic lenses; especially ensuring that victims and survivors get self esteem, and are provided with means to enhance their well being. It is therefore a loud reminder to policy makers, parents, cultural leaders, religious leaders and the whole community to be part of the great strides Isis-WICCE is taking to end child marriage and restore self worth in the affected that have lost hope in the future. An abused generation cannot contribute to future progress.

Strengthening Women’s Potential in Leadership and Peace Building

This 45th Issue features ordeals of sexual and gender-based violence of women from countries still experiencing conflict. The articles published in this issue were extracted from a collection of personal stories and testimonies of global feminist leaders who participated in Isis-WICCE 2011/12 Institute. The personal diaries detail encounters of SGBV committed on individuals or particular members of the community, often with devastating effects; psychological trauma and a pure denial of self-esteem on the survivors.

We hope that the articles in this volume will act as an International diary for women who are willing to share their experiences as victims of SGBV. We also hope that their resilience can provide encouragement and learning for other survivors’ worldwide to demand justice.

Womens-World-personal diaries

A Report on Access to Justice for Rape Survivors in Nepal, 2007-2010.

The report examines the extent to which survivors of rape and sexual violence access justice in Nepal as well as the response mechanisms that are in place to address the concerns of rape survivors. The study covered the 10 districts of Morang, Dhanushs, Kailali, Udayapur, Kavrepalanchowk, Kathmandu, Baglung, Dailekh, Dolakha and Darchula.

The findings show that the reporting and documentation of rape cases is still very marginal. An average of 443 cases in a year reflects a high prevalence ofrape if systems were conducive for survivors to report. The analysis further indicates that rape is deeply entrenched national problem that transcends class, caste, ethnicity, age, economic, educational, geographical and religious status.

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