The participation of women in armed conflict has gained ground world-wide in the last two centuries. Women have not only participated in revolutionary and nationalist movements, but also in other forms of struggle for equality, freedom and fraternity (Moghadam 1993). This is contrary to the common belief that war is a monopoly of men. Despite their participation in armed conflict, women combatants continue to be marginalised in the governance of a post-armed conflict society (Isibister 1991).
Uganda has experienced different forms of armed conflict and has had several post-armed conflict governments. In these, men's participation has been recognised and documented. The participation of women in armed conflict and in the governance of post-conflict society has not had the same luck. It is this anomaly that the study sought to redress by answering the following research questions:
(i) What was the role of women during the armed conflict in Luwero Triangle?
(ii) Have women participants been appointed to political office in post-conflict society?
(iii) Do women combatants seek electoral office after the conflict?
(iv) Have women participants retained membership in post-conflict armed forces?
(v) Do women combatants participate in the post-conflict decision-making process?
The main objective was to analyse women's role in armed conflict and, to determine whether women combatants participate in the governance of post-conflict society. Specifically, the study sought to:
(i) analyse the roles played by women in armed conflict in "Luwero Triangle" between 1981 and 1986;
(ii) establish whether women participants are appointed to political office in post-conflict society;
(iii) determine whether women combatants seek electoral office after the conflict;
(iv) establish whether women participants retain membership in post-conflict armed forces; and
(v) examine the participation of former women combatants in the post-conflict decision-making process of their society.
Existing literature shows that women all over the world participate in armed conflict but are marginalised in the governance of post-conflict society. However, literature on the experiences of Ugandan Women in this regard is scanty.
The study, therefore, aimed at the following:
(i) Sought to provide empirical evidence of women's hitherto unrecognised contributions, through armed conflict, to the struggle for peace, freedom and equality, and to relocate them to their rightful place in Uganda's history;
(ii) Hopefully make post-armed conflict governments and other policy-makers allocate women positions of political responsibility commensurate with their participation in armed conflict, and to initiate and execute policies and programmes to achieve gender equality;
(iii) An understanding of women's marginalisation in the governance of post-conflict society will help women realise that the struggle against gender inequality must continue long after the conflict has stopped.
The study examined women's roles during armed conflict and the participation of women combatants in the governance of post-conflict society. The study covered women and men who participated in the struggle but are resident in the area; women and men combatants presently serving in the army, and women and men civic leaders at the community and national levels.
(i) "Luwero Triangle" - An area in Central Uganda where the National Resistance Army (NRA), now called Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF), waged a guerrilla war against the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA). It covers the districts of Luwero, Mubende and Mpigi.
(ii) Armed conflict - A socio-political disorder involving two or more opposed groups that use arms in the settlement of their differences.
(iii) Governance - having political powers to control and direct the affairs of society.
(iv) Marginalisation - minimal involvement.
1.7 Conceptual Framework
When armed conflict breaks out, both men and women participate. However, in the governance of post-armed conflict society, women are marginalised.
Fig. 1. Conceptual Model
PARTICIPATION IN: - Combat - Espionage - Mobilisation - Recruitment - Training - Administration - Evacuation - Donation (blood, money) - Health/Medical care - Cleaning - Cooking food - Cultivation - Fetching water and firewood |
