VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE: AFRICAN WOMEN AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF WAR, AN APRAISAL OF VIOLENCE IN THE SIERRA LEONE CIVIL WAR
ABSTRACT 
Women in all ages and in different countries have been victims of violence, particularly violence emanating from wars. In Africa, women have had to contend with rape, loneliness, shame and rejection among others. The Sierra Leone Civil War brought to the attention of the world man’s inhumanity to man. Although it affected all members of the Sierra Leonean society, its effects on women were more devastating. This paper examines the violation of the rights of women in the Sierra Leone Civil War; the role played by the rebel movement, government forces and civil defence corps in gender related abuses; and find out why women are more vulnerable to rights violation in armed conflicts particularly in Sierra Leone. The methodology adopted was based on secondary sources. Our findings are that women were raped, brutalized and murdered and in some cases abducted and used as sex slaves. The study recommended that perpetrators of war crimes particularly against women should be severely punished to deter others.
Gender and Conflict Resolution in Africa
Women’s vulnerabilities in times of conflict have long dominated the policy agenda. While conflict inflicts suffering on everyone, women are particularly affected by its effects. However, their determined efforts to bring an end to fighting are usually behind the scenes as they are not recognize as stakeholders in the peace process. This paper examines women’s role in conflict resolution with particular focus on Africa. It argues that women should not be viewed as victims of violence only but as positive contributors to conflict resolution. It therefore concludes that women need to be mainstreamed in the conflict resolution process. Keywords : gender, conflict, conflict resolution, gender mainstreaming, gender empowerment
Cambodian refugee health care beliefs and practices.
Since 1975, when refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia first began coming to the United States, many articles have been written about Southeast Asian or Indochinese refugees and health care. A careful review of the literature shows that most of these articles have one thing in common: they are written primarily about Vietnamese and do not address the unique health care beliefs and practices of Lao or Cambodian refugees.1 Although some beliefs and practices are common to most Southeast Asians, many are not. Understanding at least that differences exist, and hopefully what some specific differences are, will allow nurses and others to give better care to the various people commonly grouped together as Southeast Asians. This article will introduce readers to some Cambodian beliefs and practices related to health care. Of the principle refugee groups admitted to the U.S. since 1975, the Cambodians are presenting the greatest challenges to health care providers. Cambodians are usually poorly understood by Americans, their health status statistics are hidden among the broad category of "Asian-Pacific Islanders" or "Indochinese Refugees," and cultural and institutional barriers combine to make access to care an overwhelming problem. The end results, of course, are more problems and more expense for the Cambodians, increased stress placed on an already terribly overstressed people, and ultimately greater demands and expense placed on the health care system. One of the most common misunderstandings about Cambodians is that they (and Lao) are basically the same as the Vietnamese. "They speak the same dialect don't they?" There are some similarities, but there are also very significant differences.