The LRA’s tactics disproportionately impacted women and girls, many of whom were abducted and subjected to severe forms of abuse, including forced marriages, sexual violence, and forced labour (Stewart, 2020). The conflict also resulted in numerous war-related disabilities, with many women sustaining permanent injuries from landmines, gunshots, and brutal acts of violence such as amputations, mutilation of lips, and other forms of physical disfigurement. Some victims endured extreme cruelty that left them with lasting functional impairments and deep psychological trauma (Annan et al., 2019).
Women who were abducted faced multiple layers of hardship; beyond the physical and sexual violence, they carried enduring psychological scars. The forced roles imposed on them disrupted their life paths and future opportunities, contributing to long-term social and economic challenges upon their return. Moreover, the stigma associated with their abduction, along with the presence of children born from forced unions, further hindered their reintegration into society (Carlson & Mazurana, 2008).
