During the war in Northern Uganda (1987 – 2007), tens of thousands of young boys and girls, aged 10 to 15 were abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The boys were trained to be soldiers and the girls were kept as slaves and ‘wives,’ some as many as 8 years. When they eventually escaped or were emancipated from captivity, they returned as young men and women, traumatized, abused, neglected and deprived of their basic human rights to shelter, safety, security, food and education. Many came back home carrying their Children born of War (CBoW), one, two, or even three kids that they had mothered and raised in the “bush.”

Some were warmly welcomed home by their families, but many were not. Most returned to a strange new world, in which they – the survivors of abduction and abuse – had been recast as “Rebels!” and “Konis!” After all they had suffered at the hands of those cruel rebel soldiers, these innocent victims were now branded as villains! Many were shunned and rejected, forced to wander around in search of a place to stay, seeking work, food and education for their children.

Most of the abductees returned from captivity during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, which means that they are now in their 30’s and 40’s, and that their children born in captivity are now in their 20’s or early 30’s. Some of these women began helping and counselling their fellow survivors. Others, with the support of their families and non-profit organizations, were able to complete their education and pursue further studies. Many of these women emerged as leaders and healers in their communities; Women Survivor Leaders (WSLs).