Re-integration and gender sensitivity among ex-combatants in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan

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Date
2012-09
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Publisher
Kampala International University.College of Humanities and social science
Abstract
This study was carried out in Central Equitoria State, south Sudan on female excombatants and members of organizations working with reintegrating former combatants. The study revolves more on reintegration and gender sensitivity among excombatants. The main objective of the study was to document the lives and experiences of female ex-combatants within fighting forces, DDR programs and their communities. This is done for the fact that, women are often present if not always present within wars but are often neglected in the aftermath. Qualitative research method was used to carry out this study. The qualitative method was made up of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires which were used to collect the necessary data from both female ex-combatants and representatives of organizations working in the domain of reintegration of ex-combatants in Central Equitoria. The female ex-combatants and representatives of organizations came from different social backgrounds of age, education and marital status etc. The data was analyzed from two points of view namely: theoretical material and descriptively using percentages and frequency tables. The study found that the best practices and options to reintegration of female excombatants within DDR programmes include ensuring inclusion of female ex-combatant groups in the DDR programme design. It was also found that ex-combatants did not get adequate counseling services after handing over their arms on reintegration. However, most of the response strongly agreed that family reunification is the principal factor in effective social reintegration of ex-combatants. The study concluded that disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration is essential to restore peace and stability after the resolution of conflict and should be given due consideration early in the peace process. It also recommended that a time limit must be set to revisit the plight of ex-combatants and attend to their concerns.
Description
Thesis presented to the College of Higher Degrees and Research Kampala International University Kampala, Uganda in partial fulfillments of the requirements for the degree of masters of Conflict Resolution and Peace Building
Keywords
Re-integration, Gender, Ex-combatants, South Sudan
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