Psychological Influence of Stigma, Discrimination and ... · Psychological Influence of Stigma,...

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Psychological Influence of Stigma, Discrimination and Social Exclusion among Children deformed by War, Northern Uganda by David Stephen Ojok Refugee Law Project School of Law, Makerere University

Transcript of Psychological Influence of Stigma, Discrimination and ... · Psychological Influence of Stigma,...

Page 1: Psychological Influence of Stigma, Discrimination and ... · Psychological Influence of Stigma, Discrimination and Social Exclusion among Children deformed by War, Northern Uganda

Psychological Influence of Stigma, Discrimination and Social Exclusion among Children deformed by War,

Northern Uganda by

David Stephen Ojok

 

Refugee Law Project School of Law, Makerere University

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Overview �  Children & armed conflict �  Physical disability (Deformity) �  Perception on disability �  Disability, stigma & social exclusion �  Psychological effects of war on children �  Rehabilitating wounds of armed conflict �  Reintegration into the communities

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“Physical impairment is not the hardest thing to live with, but the society’s responses, in terms of stigma and discrimination, that is most damaging”. (Oliver 1996)

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Introduction The Northern Uganda armed conflict (LRA) is one noted to have ever ravaged all spheres of human life for over two decades. 90% 0f LRA entire force constituted largely of children (Fulkenburg 2013). Children as one of the most vulnerable groups suffers from ranges inhumane abuses. In the course of wars, violence features heavily inform of killings, looting & abduction (Dolan 2005), leaving scars on minds, hearts and bodies of survivors including children.

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Children and armed conflict

�  Unconventional activities (traditional African spiritualism, and slaying of civilians [RLP 2004]).

�  Brain wash - Kony possessed by holy spirit(s) - Unclear agenda of liberation

�  Initiated rites and forced killing (Ehrenreich R 1998) to infuse terror and fear, a form of cognitive molest.

�  Performance motivated by reward (ranks) based on major contributions (Boyden, 2003) e.g abducting more children as new recruits

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Physical disability (deformity)

Children suffered major physical and psychological injuries as a result of; ◦ Bullets ◦  Landmines ◦ Rape and forced early marriage ◦ Swollen legs due long distances ◦ Amputation of body parts (lips, ears, legs

etc)

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Psychological effects of war on children

�  Forced perpetration/forced witness of atrocities committed (traumatises)

�  Community’s perception on former child soldiers. ◦ They are regarded as rebels ◦ Some exhibit anti-social behavior ◦ Missing body parts ◦  Lost of social trust

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Perception on disability

Altered perception about disability as a result of LRA war. ◦ Born physically disabled (believed as

manifestation of evil spirits/gods) � Disfigurement attracts negative perception

(stigma & exclusion) ◦ Mental disability (Madness) (Consequences of

atrocities committed)

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Disability, stigma & social exclusion � Covert and overt/open and hidden disability

� Community’s attitude (marginalisation & rejection) ◦  Limits pro-social /adaptive behaviours ◦ Causes inequality and internalised oppression ◦ Self-esteem and self-efficacy, compromises

coping capacity and influences stress-related ◦ Broken social environment or carries negative

regards (affects social development) ◦ Strong distrust due to the atrocities committed

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Rehabilitating ‘wounds’ of armed conflict The process of adjustment constitutes both the

individual & community’s effort. ◦  Interim care (medical treatment & basic

need) ◦ Counseling (family support talk) � Sharing information and experiences (peer

support) ◦ Recreational activities (games & sports) ◦ Cultural dances as a form of social identity,

belonging & interaction. ◦  Livelihood programs for self-sustainability

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Reintegration into community •  Traditional cleansing (increases likelihood of

community acceptance, reduces stigma, revenge and daily hardships that would contribute to poor mental health) ◦ Mato oput (drinking the herb) ◦ Nyono tong-gweno (stepping on the egg)

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Recommendations & conclusion �  Involvement of family members/ community

in psychosocial support �  Supporting established social support

groups and encouraging group mainstreaming.

�  Train, facilitate and support peer support workers and include former abductees.

�  More research on children deformed by armed conflict

�  Involve families and other support systems in working with deformed former child soldiers.

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Thank you!