Violence Against Women During the 1991 Ethnic Conflicts of the East Gonja District of Ghana

Abstract

Armed conflict impacts negatively on society but women, more than any other vulnerable group, suffer most from the pangs of the violence that attend them. This study examines violence against women during the 1991 ethnic conflicts of the East Gonja District of Ghana. A qualitative approach entailing in-depth interviews and focus group discussions was employed to generate and analyze data for the analysis. Gender perspectives on conflict were employed as the theoretical underpinning of the study. The findings showed that violence against women was pervasive during the conflict and included physical violence characterized by body injuries, decimation of children, molestation of expectant mothers and internal displacement and emotional/psychological abuse. However, contrary to the literature, sexual violence was not a part of the experiences of women during that at conflict due the scale and socio-cultural beliefs of the warring factions. Hence, it concludes that the experiences of violence under conflict settings differ and must be understood as such instead of the resort to sweeping generalizations. It is recommended that a true reconciliation is needed to foster unity among the ethnic groups so as to pave the way for permanent peace and development. More importantly, counseling services and financial empowerment are required to enable the women take back their lives.

KEY WORDS: Ethnic Conflict, Violence against Women, Gender, Armed Conflict Culture