Perceptions of Peace and Reconciliation: Case of Lokokwo Peyot Women’s Group in Paidwe Parish, Bobi Sub-County

This research project explores perceptions of peace and reconciliation among female members of the Lokokwo Peyot Women’s Group in Paidwe Parish, Bobi Sub-County, Gulu District. It aims to understand how women define the concepts of peace and reconciliation and how women currently perceive peace and reconciliation within their community. It also attempts to further understand these perceptions through examining the women’s past experiences and current challenges. The project displays the impact of women’s involvement in peacebuilding and conflict mediation in a region that is desperately trying to recover from decades of destruction and violence. Research was carried out at two separate but related locations in Gulu District: the home of the Lokokwo Peyot group’s Chairperson in Paidwe Parish within Bobi Sub-County, and the main office of Gulu Women’s Economic Development and Globalization (GWED-G) in Gulu Municipality. Eleven individual interviews and two group discussions form the foundation of this project. The focus on the Lokokwo Peyot Women’s Group was made possible through the assistance and cooperation of GWED-G staff members, and the interested group members who so generously donated their time and experiences. This study discovered that women in the Lokokwo Peyot group have witnessed significant changes personally and locally since the group’s founding in 2009, and they feel that an environment of relative peace has developed in the community. Although traditionally women do not speak publicly or actively participate in community meetings, the women’s involvement in the group challenges such cultural norms and allows them to feel empowered and respected. By promoting a peaceful environment from within their individual homes and villages, group members have succeeded in decreasing the level of conflict and violence present

Investigating Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Through Critical Discourse Analysis

This paper addresses the large-scale sexual violence that has taken place (and still continues) within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) using critical discourse analysis. Disturbing statistics have resulted in the identification of the DRC as the rape capital of the world, and a variety of national, regional, and international actors have employed sexual violence as a weapon of war. Victims frequently receive little assistance, perpetrators act without fear of serious repercussions, and the government of the DRC fails to successfully implement relative legislation. Through an investigation of the discourse surrounding victims, perpetrators, and political institutions respectively, I will develop an understanding of how specific language portrays each of these participants in multiple reports and publications, and how this discourse can shape one\u27s perspective of the complex situation the DRC faces involving sexual violence

Sickle Cell Clinical Research and Intervention Program (SCCRIP): A lifespan cohort study for sickle cell disease progression from the pediatric stage into adulthood

Background: Previous natural history studies have advanced the understanding of sickle cell disease (SCD), but generally have not included sufficient lifespan data or investigation of the role of genetics in clinical outcomes, and have often occurred before the widespread use of disease-modifying therapies, such as hydroxyurea and chronic erythrocyte transfusions. To further advance knowledge of SCD, St. Jude Children\u27s Research Hospital established the Sickle Cell Clinical Research and Intervention Program (SCCRIP), to conduct research in a clinically evaluated cohort of individuals with SCD across their lifetime. Procedures: Initiated in 2014, the SCCRIP study prospectively recruits patients diagnosed with SCD and includes retrospective and longitudinal collection of clinical, neurocognitive, geospatial, psychosocial, and health outcomes data. Biological samples are banked for future genomics and proteomics studies. The organizational structure of SCCRIP is based upon organ/system-specific working groups and is opened to the research community for partnerships. Results: As of August 2017, 1,044 (92.3% of eligible) patients with SCD have enrolled in the study (860 children and 184 adults), with 11,915 person-years of observation. Population demographics included mean age at last visit of 11.3 years (range 0.7–30.1), 49.8% females, 57.7% treated with hydroxyurea, 8.5% treated with monthly transfusions, and 62.9% hemoglobin (Hb) SS or HbSB 0 -thalassemia, 25.7% HbSC, 8.4% HbsB + -Thalassemia, 1.7% HbS/HPFH, and 1.2% other. Conclusions: The SCCRIP cohort will provide a rich resource for the conduct of high impact multidisciplinary research in SCD