Bridging theory and praxis in the comprehensive treatment of conflict-related sexual violence in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe holistic care model was designed to address the multifaceted medical, psychosocial, socioeconomic, and legal needs of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). However, the extent to which this model aligns with survivors' needs has largely been shaped by the perspectives of service providers. This multi-sited qualitative study is based on 19 in-depth interviews with female survivors from five conflict-affected countries in the Great Lakes region - namely, the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Uganda. It explores their experiences and perspectives on the model. The study challenges power dynamics in knowledge production by amplifying the voices of survivors themselves. The semi-structured interviews, conducted online via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, reveal that survivors' medical, psychosocial, socioeconomic, and legal needs are deeply interconnected. These needs must, therefore, be addressed simultaneously - if survivors choose to do so - in order to achieve comprehensive recovery from the multifaceted consequences of CRSV. While the model aligns with survivors' primary needs, access to its services remains problematic across the region due to a variety of technical, cultural, epistemic, geographical, and financial barriers, creating a significant gap between the model as a 'theory' and its practical implementation on the ground.