Masthead graphic based on a painting by Gudrun Thriemer.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Peace Girl Fundraiser for Northern Uganda

Peace Girl is an action research and youth leadership initiative led by a committed group of researchers, students and photographers.

As many conflict-affected countries transition to peace, girls forced to become sexual slaves to rebels and military groups are left to pick up the pieces. Many are stigmatized and forced to live alone. Some brave girls refuse to believe this is what it means to be human. They fight everyday for their rights and for that of their children born of rape. Peace Girl supports them. Channelling funds to grassroots peer support groups, it creates new opportunities for young girls and women to take leadership roles in their communities.

Through life histories and creative communications, Peace Girl documents their knowledge and experiences of war and identifies ways to promote their reintegration in communities and leadership in rebuilding their countries.

This fundraiser will feature an evening of photos, audiovisuals and stories about girl soldiers in northern Uganda, with compelling discussion by the project leaders.
The year 2008 will see resources directed to girls and women in northern Uganda, where the civil war between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and Government of Uganda has resulted in the mass abduction of tens of thousands of girls who are forced to become combatants and sexual slaves.

This summer, UBC alumna Letha Victor has volunteered to travel to Uganda and conduct ethnographic research with members of grassroots associations, collecting life histories and insights into questions about violence, war economies, justice and reconciliation, and political leadership. The objective is to create a newspaper article to raise awareness of the lives of former girl soldiers and to assess the potential of develop methods for future research.

Minimum Suggested Donation: $8

Thursday, 10 April 2008 - 5:00pm

Liu Institute for Global Issues, Multipurpose Room

Co-sponsored by:
UBC's Centre for Women's and Gender Studies
Women's and Gender Studies Undergraduate Program
Department of Anthropology
Africa Awareness
International Relations Students Association
Liu Institute for Global Issues


Can't make it? Find out how you can help by visiting us at www.peacegirl.moonfruit.com
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