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
Chelewa, chelewa : the dilemma of teenage girls
In the past, the transition from childhood to womanhood was immediate and direct, and menarche was a sign of initiation and readiness to marry. Nowadays girls find themselves trapped between custom ...