The enduring consequences of conflict-related sexual violence: a qualitative study of women survivors in northern Uganda

One in three women in northern Uganda report having suffered from conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), including forced marriage and rape. Understanding women’s perceptions of and experiences with CRSV, especially related to the persistent health and social challenges they continue to face, is critical for developing effective and targeted interventions. We worked with a local, survivor-led organization to recruit interview participants from three post-conflict districts in northern Uganda: Gulu, Lira, and Pader, conducting them between October 2016 and March 2017. Results indicate that women survivors continue to face multifaceted health and social problems in the post-conflict period. Most health-related programs that were set up at the end of the war in northern Uganda are no longer available. Increasing access to care, particularly services tailored to treating chronic reproductive health issues and mental health, is paramount for women survivors in northern Uganda and other conflict-affected regions.