Participants to the 2009/10 Institute training institute who started the training at  the Himalayan Horizon Hotel, in Dhurikel, a few kilometres from Kathmandu have continued to share their experiences and concerns about conflict and its consequences on women in conflict and post conflict countries.  Some of the participants from 14 countries that include Democratic republic of Congo, Senegal, Cote d’voire, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda and Burundi presented brief narratives about the genesis of conflict in their countries and how it affected women. Nepal, the host country is represented by 18 participants who will during the Institute be trained on research and documentation to enable them document experiences of human rights defenders in the country.

Giving their views on conflict and how it has affected women in different settings, women participants from conflict and post conflict settings noted that women in all conflict places have borne the brunt of the conflict with the majority of them being victims of torture, abduction and sexual violence. “…women in conflict situations suffer untold suffering during conflict and their bodies are used as war theatres; they are raped, killed, maimed and displaced. It is important to document these experiences so as to ensure appropriate interventions are done…” said Moreen from Kenya.

Mary Conteh from Sierra Leone briefed participants about the conflict in her country that she said subjected women to forced marriages and made to bear children with no identifiable fathers. Most women are now still suffering from psychological trauma and other reproductive ailments. The participants also agreed that women’s sexuality is always targeted during conflict and this has specifically exposed them to sexuality and reproductive health problems like fistulae, STDs and HIV/AIDS.

During interactive sessions, participants reviewed despicable conditions women in conflict situations are exposed to and the challenges of activists and human rights defenders when championing women’s human rights work. They noted the poverty and loss of means of livelihood that forces them to resort to prostitution to earn a living. The participants also noted the problem of women and girls’ trafficking which they noted has escalated due to conflict and its related consequences.  The participants also noted the failure of governments and partners in involving women in post conflict processes like disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation and reconstruction, which they said increases women’s vulnerability.