Militarization and Gender Violence in South Sudan

Abstract

AbstractThis article discusses gender violence, domestic and beyond, in wartime South Sudan, particularly among the Dinka of southwestern Sudan. Furthermore, it discusses the efforts of rebel armies, fighting against the northern government of Sudan, to forge a women's role in the liberation struggle. The effort has focused on the women's reproductive roles as their contribution. This "nationalization" of the womb has nearly licensed young violent men to assume rights over women's sexuality - often leading to rape. Coupled with traditional cultural notions of sexuality, this wartime experience has reinforced men's domination over women. This article argues that much scholarly emphasis has been placed on the use of rape as a weapon of torture. But equally important are the myriad of ways in which violence is socially reproduced within communities and families.