Photo Credit: Refugees International/ Sarah Martin
11/09/2006

These Northern Uganda Women are marching to Juba Sudan to protest the fact that there are very few women involved in the peace talks between the government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army. Many are carrying banners that say, "No peace without women." Thse peace talks are the best chance for peace that the region has seen during the two-decade conflict, but one of the criticisms of the talks has been that the women of Northern Uganda are not truly represented. Women are largely absent from the Government of Uganda and LRA official delegations. The recent decision to allow women from conflict areas to act as observers is a welcome one; however, it is essential that the issues concerning the violations of women’s rights and their needs for peace and reconciliation are raised and discussed at the negotiations.