Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma

Citation:

Igreja, Victor, Béatrice Dias-Lambranca, and Annemiek Richters. 2008. “Gamba Spirits, Gender Relations and Healing in Post-Civil War Gorongosa, Mozambique.” The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 14 (2): 353-71.

Authors: Victor Igreja, Béatrice Dias-Lambranca, Annemiek Richters

Abstract:

This article describes the ways in which in post-civil war Gorongosa (Central Mozambique), women (and occasionally men) with personal and/or family experiences of extreme suffering are the focalpoint of possession by male, war-related spirits named gamba. However, gamba spirits also create post-war healing in which memory work and gender politics play an essential role. This type ofpost-war healing is demonstrated through a secret, contractual ceremony in which a male living suitor demands permission from a gamba spirit, lodged in the body of a young woman (his deemed wife), to marry that woman. An account of the ceremony is preceded by a description of the conditions that gave rise to the emergence of gamba spirits in central Mozambique, and is followed by an analysis of the meaning of the voice of the spirit and its impact on the relation between the living husband and wife and, more generally, on Gorongosa post-war society. We argue that the performance of gamba spirits contributes to a certain form of moral renewal. In the process, we locate relationships between spirits and hosts within wider systems of meaning in which they arecreated and reproduced, and we reinforce approaches to possession that see it as constituted by ‘apractice and politics of voice’ (Lambek).

Topics: Armed Conflict, Civil Wars, Gender, Women, Men, Health, Trauma, Households, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: Mozambique

Year: 2008

Citation:

Leslie, Helen. 2001. "Healing the Psychological Wounds of Gender-Related Violence in Latin America: A Model for Gender-Sensitive Work in Post-Conflict Contexts." Gender & Development 9 (3): 50-9.

Author: Helen Leslie

Abstract:

This article presents a model of healing which conceptualises and addresses the psychological effects on women of gender-related violence in the post-conflict context. The model is drawn from the experience of an El Salvadorean NGO, Las Dignas, and from key insights from gender and development literature.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender, Gender-Based Violence, Health, Mental Health, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, NGOs, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction

Year: 2001

Citation:

Carpenter, R. Charli. 2003. “‘Women and Children First’: Gender, Norms, and Humanitarian Evacuation in the Balkans 1991-95.” International Organization 57 (4): 661–94.

Author: R. Charli Carpenter

Abstract:

Of all noncombatants in the former Yugoslavia, adult civilian men were most likely to be massacred by enemy forces. Why, therefore, did international agencies mandated with the "protection of civilians" evacuate women and children, but not military-age men, from besieged areas? This article reviews the operational dilemmas faced by protection workers in the former Yugoslavia when negotiating access to civilian populations. [Carpenter] argue[s] that a social constructivist approach incorporating gender analysis is required to explain both the civilian protection community's discourse and its operational behavior. First, gender beliefs constitute the discursive strategies on which civilian protection advocacy is based. Second, gender norms operate in practice to constrain the options available to protection workers in assisting civilians. These two causal pathways converged in the former Yugoslavia to produce effects disastrous to civilians, particularly adult men and male adolescents.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Ethnic/Communal Wars, Gender, Men, Boys, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, International Organizations Regions: Europe, Balkans

Year: 2003

Citation:

Gingerich, Tara, and Jennifer Leaning. 2004. The Use of Rape as a Weapon of War in the Conflict in Darfur, Sudan. Boston: Harvard School of Public Health.

Authors: Tara Gingerich, Jennifer Leaning

Topics: Armed Conflict, Displacement & Migration, Refugee/IDP Camps, Gender, Women, Girls, Gender-Based Violence, Health, Reproductive Health, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, International Law, Sexual Violence, Rape, Weapons /Arms Regions: Africa, East Africa Countries: Sudan

Year: 2004

Citation:

De Jong, Kaz, and Rolf J. Kleber. 2007. “Emergency Conflict-Related Psychosocial Interventions in Sierra Leone and Uganda: Lessons from Médecins Sans Frontières.” Journal of Health Psychology 12 (3): 485–97.

Authors: Kaz De Jong, Rolf J. Kleber

Abstract:

Médecins Sans Frontières has been involved in emergency mental health or psychosocial programmes since 1990. In this article the intervention model developed for emergency settings is shared. Psychosocial programmes distinguish two elements. The ‘psycho’-component facilitates the reconnection of the affected individual to his environment. The ‘socio’-element aims to create an environment that facilitates the individual to re-integrate. The nature of mental health and psychosocial programmes requires a multi- disciplinary approach. Emotional support can also be provided by regular medical staff and does not always require a specialist. The years ahead of us are important for the development of psychosocial interventions. Fundamental issues such as programme evaluation need systematic research.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Health, Mental Health, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, Post-Conflict Regions: Africa, East Africa, West Africa Countries: Sierra Leone, Uganda

Year: 2007

Citation:

Kovarić-Kovačić, Dragica, Dubravka Kocijan-Hercigonja, and Andrea Jambrošić. 2002. “Psychiatric Help to Psychotraumatized Persons during and after War in Croatia.” Public Health and Peace 43 (2): 221–28.

Authors: Dragica Kovarić-Kovačić, Dubravka Kocijan-Hercigonja, Andrea Jambrošić

Topics: Armed Conflict, Ethnic/Communal Wars, Health, Mental Health, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Regions: Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe Countries: Croatia

Year: 2002

Citation:

Wessells, Michael. 1999. “Culture, Power, and Community: Intercultural Approaches to Psychosocial Assistance and Healing.” In Honoring Differences: Cultural Issues in the Treatment of Trauma and Loss, edited by K. Nader, N. Dubrow, and B. Stamm, 276–82. New York: Taylor and Francis.

Author: Michael Wessells

Abstract:

Aims to integrate main insights into a broad conceptual framework centered around the issues of context, culture, power, and community. This chapter begins with the idea that loss of hope, meaning, and perceived control are pivotal aspects of trauma (J. Herman, 1992). Recovery from trauma and loss is argued to require the reconstruction of meaning, the rebuilding of hope and the sense of empowerment needed to regain control of one's being and life. The author contends that the imposition of Western, decontextualized views marginalizes local voices and cultural traditions, disempowers communities, and limits healing. Conversely, the use of consultants' power to situate problems in historic context and to learn about and valorize local cultural traditions, when appropriate, is viewed as empowering the community and bringing into play culturally appropriate sustainable healing resources. Implications for how one works as a consultant, views and works with local people in need, and disposes oneself toward other cultures are considered.

Topics: Health, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction

Year: 1999

Citation:

Wessells, Michael, and Carlinda Monteiro. 2001. “Psychosocial Interventions and Post-War Reconstruction in Angola: Interweaving Western and Traditional Approaches.” In Peace, Conflict, and Violence: Peace Psychology for the 21st Century, edited by D. Christie, R. V. Wagner, and D. Winter, 262–75. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Authors: Michael Wessells, Carlinda Monteiro

Topics: Development, Health, Mental Health, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: Angola

Year: 2001

Citation:

Wessells, Michael, and Carlinda Monteiro. 2004. “Healing the Wounds Following Protracted Conflict in Angola: A Community-Based Approach to Assisting War-Affected Children.” In Handbook of Culture, Therapy, and Healing, edited by Carlinda Monteiro, 321–41. Mahwah, NJ: Routledge.

Authors: Michael Wessells, Carlinda Monteiro

Topics: Armed Conflict, Civil Society, Gender, Girls, Boys, Health, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, Peacebuilding, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: Angola

Year: 2004

Citation:

Henttonen, Mirkka, Charlotte Watts, Bayard Roberts, Felix Kaducu, and Matthias Borchert. 2008. “Health Services for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Northern Uganda: A Qualitative Study.” Reproductive Health Matters 16 (31): 122–31.

Authors: Mirkka Henttonen, Charlotte Watts, Bayard Roberts, Felix Kaducu, Matthias Borchert

Abstract:

The 20-year war in northern Uganda has resulted in up to 1.7 million people being internally displaced, and impoverishment and vulnerability to violence amongst the civilian population. This qualitative study examined the status of health services available for the survivors of gender-based violence in the Gulu district, northern Uganda. Semi-structured interviews were carried out in 2006 with 26 experts on gender-based violence and general health providers, and availability of medical supplies was reviewed. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines on gender-based violence interventions in humanitarian settings were used to prepare the interview guides and analyse the findings. Some legislation and programmes do exist on gender-based violence. However, health facilities lacked sufficiently qualified staff and medical supplies to adequately detect and manage survivors, and confidential treatment and counselling could not be ensured. There was inter-sectoral collaboration, but greater resources are required to increase coverage and effectiveness of services. Intimate partner violence, sexual abuse of girls aged under 18, sexual harassment and early and forced marriage may be more common than rape by strangers. As the IASC guidelines focus on sexual violence by strangers and do not address other forms of gender-based violence, we suggest the need to explore this issue further to determine whether a broader concept of gender-based violence should be incorporated into the guidelines.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Displacement & Migration, IDPs, Domestic Violence, Gender, Women, Girls, Gender-Based Violence, Gendered Power Relations, Health, Reproductive Health, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma, Sexual Violence, Rape, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Regions: Africa, East Africa Countries: Uganda

Year: 2008