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Onyeka M Obasi, B Sc, Department of International Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, T4W, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-5234, onyeka@bu.edu and Elaine J. Alpert, MD, MPH, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, T2W, Boston, MA 02118.
The decade-long war in Sierra Leone was characterized by egregious human rights abuses committed primarily by the rebel forces against the civilian population. Throughout the conflict, thousands of women and girls were raped and subjected to other forms of sexual violence of unimaginable brutality, including sexual slavery. The low status of women and girls in Sierra Leone by law, custom and practice remains a contributing factor to their vulnerability and may have contributed to widespread and systematic sexual violence. In addition to the combatants’ motivation to achieve their strategic military objectives through terrorizing the civilian population, the fact that sexual violence during the Sierra Leone conflict predominantly involved men raping women reveals that conflict-related rape, like most rape, reflects this dynamic of gender inequality and subordination. The assertion of power by men over women is deeply imbedded in societal attitudes in Sierra Leone.
Women who are sexually victimized in war are at risk of contacting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. They can suffer from a range of reproductive health complications which often are inadequately treated due to a poorly functioning health care infrastructure compounded by war.
Video clips of testimonies of survivors of sexual violence against women and girls during and after the war in Sierra Leone will be shown. The health implications and effects of sexual violence, stigmatization and shame of survivors as well as recommendations for public health-oriented response will be presented.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants in this session will be able to
Keywords: Sexual Assault, War
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.