INTERNATIONAL: Recovery from War Trauma is Slow for World's Women

The 1990s were brutal years for women in war-torn countries.

In Bosnia and Kosovo, they were rounded up and systematically assaulted in rape centres. In Rwanda, they were raped, mutilated and slaughtered. In Liberia and Uganda they were tortured and forced into sexual slavery. And in East Timor they were kidnapped and raped as their husbands were executed.

Ten years ago, widespread atrocities led to a ground-breaking United Nations Security Council resolution demanding that warring factions protect women and girls from gender-based violence and include them in peace negotiations.

On Wednesday, the UN's population fund UNFPA, published a report on the progress made since the resolution was passed. It says there is a growing network of grassroots organizations working with governments and communities to help conflict victims — including men and boys.

On Thursday the UN is marking the anniversary of the resolution with a Global Open Day on Women, Peace and Security highlighting recommendations from women peace advocates from war-affected countries.

“What began as a call on governments a decade ago to deal with abuses or neglect of women and girls has steadily grown into a broader movement that encompasses all members of society,” said the population fund's report.

Psychosocial counselling is “expanding exponentially,” it said, and gender issues that affect both men and women are on the radar of aid organizations and local groups.

In countries from Botswana to Lebanon, Indonesia and Tajikistan, governments have begun training for prevention of gender-based violence, support for physically and emotionally traumatized victims and programs for promoting equality and human rights.

“In countless small and large ways, in many countries where life has been disrupted, people, often with support from humanitarian and development organizations, are working . . . to make the future better,” the report said.

But there's ample evidence that sexual violence in conflict zones continues, victims of earlier wars are left to suffer alone and aid efforts often shut down too early once the shooting stops.

In Bosnia, it said, “women who survived ‘rape camps' and sexual assault in their homes and neighbourhoods still live in shame and fear, psychologically broken and long denied the dignity and reparations they seek.”

The spread of HIV/AIDS has been hampered by lack of rapid treatment for rape victims. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the world's worst countries for sexual violence, there may be years of delay before victims from poverty-stricken areas with little health care can be treated.

In a number of countries, attempts to protect women by training female police officers have been hampered by lack of funds.

“In Liberia, the head of the women and children protection section of the police has a cramped, dark airless office made unbearably hot by power cuts that shut down air conditioning.” Meanwhile, victims have to pass by areas where criminals are being detained.

In spite of poverty and trauma, war-torn countries and aid agencies have taken a large step forward by recognizing that supporting women after conflicts end is one of the best ways to prevent a slide back to war.

“A new era has dawned,” the report said. And although progress is often slow, it's clear that “women are key to national development and they want to be thought of as not just victims in need of protection, but as important players in recovery.”