Armed conflicts in Africa : examining sexual violence as an instrument of war

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dc.contributor.author Daudu, Innocent A.
dc.contributor.author Shulika, Lukong S.
dc.date.accessioned 2019-08-19T13:25:12Z
dc.date.issued 2019-04
dc.description.abstract Sexual violence finds its most brutal expression during armed conflicts. Across culture and time, sexual violence has assumed a myriad of forms and dimensions. It is widespread, but grossly underreported. It is the deep and multi-dimensional impact of sexual violence on individuals, families, and communities that gives it the status of ‘an instrument of war’, having drastic consequences. This work seeks to lend a voice to ‘breaking the silence’ about sexual violence during armed conflicts, and to contribute towards a better understanding of why and how sexual violence occurs during armed conflicts. Although most post-colonial conflicts in African states are broadly traceable to colonial legacies of fragile states, ethno-political contestation and the complex political economy of resources, the extent of exploitation of vulnerable members of society during conflict may necessarily be a reflection of pre-existing social dynamics. From a constructivist position, this qualitative contribution interrogates the use of sexual violence in advancing the strategic aims and interests of warring parties. The study identifies that sexual violence during armed conflicts is a practice which subverts peacetime norms, and it is considered a taboo in many African societies. We argue that the cultural perception of sexual violence as a taboo makes it a motivator as well as a silencer, for perpetrators and victims respectively. Sexual violence during armed conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Democratic republic of Congo (DRC) are examined. Lessons are drawn from these cases which may be useful to other researchers, practitioners, and policy formulators. en_ZA
dc.description.department Political Sciences en_ZA
dc.description.embargo 2020-04-01
dc.description.librarian am2019 en_ZA
dc.description.uri https://journals.co.za/content/journal/aa_afrus en_ZA
dc.identifier.citation Daudu, I.A. 2019, 'Armed conflicts in Africa : examining sexual violence as an instrument of war', Journal of African Union Studies, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 51-71. en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn 2050-4292 (print)
dc.identifier.issn 2050-4306 (online)
dc.identifier.other 10.31920/2050-4306/2019/v8n1a3
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/2263/71143
dc.language.iso en en_ZA
dc.publisher Adonis and Abbey en_ZA
dc.rights © Adonis and Abbey Publishers en_ZA
dc.subject Africa en_ZA
dc.subject Armed conflict en_ZA
dc.subject Sexual violence en_ZA
dc.subject Breaking the silence en_ZA
dc.subject Central African Republic (CAR) en_ZA
dc.subject Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) en_ZA
dc.title Armed conflicts in Africa : examining sexual violence as an instrument of war en_ZA
dc.type Article en_ZA


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