Process reflection, participatory film making in Uganda

Anu Kiro Nu? Is an animated film made with Youth from a remote area of Uganda called Karamoja. The brief was written by War child Uk and Ellie Land to include the research question: ‘In using animation, how can we encourage the local community to speak out about Gender based violence in Karamoja?’ Collaboratively Land, a Ugandan Social worker and a youth group called The Kalapata Activist Group, designed and created a short aniamted film. This paper is a refelction of the processes involved from all parties engaged in the project

Anu Kiro Nu? What are these happenings?

Collaboratively Land, a Ugandan Social worker and a youth group called The Kalapata Activist Group, worked towards the question ‘In using animation, how can we encourage the local community to speak out about Gender based violence in Karamoja?’ The team designed a project using participatory film making methods and animation to create a product War Child could screen at an event called ‘16 Days of Activism’ in Karamoja. The project was made in collaboration with War Child UK, in Karamoja, a remote area suffering from years of war and conflict and more recently drought. It is estimated that only 20% of the youth attend school. The film sought to address through the process of animation and participation, the social issues of the area whilst the process became a tool to work against potential barriers to language, literacy and culture. Land used techniques rooted in traditional animation and film making production such as storyboarding, drawing, scriptwriting, costume and set design to build a relationship with the Kalapata Activist Group before meeting them, over a series of Skype conversations. During the production period in Uganda (only 4 days) Land encouraged the group to explore the impacts of GBV on their main character through acting for animation. Land regularly asked ‘Show me how’ enabling the group to debate ways in which to communicate the narrative. Animation and puppets (rather than filmed people), allowed the group to remain anonymous and provided a neutral vehicle for the group to explore personal experience of GBV. Song was also employed to drive more detailed information to the community, this being a traditional method the community have used previously

How Definitions of ‘Child Soldiers’ Exclude Girls from Demobilisation Efforts

Child soldiers meet the Palermo Protocol’s definition of ‘trafficking in persons’.They are any person under 18, used in any capacity by armed forces or groups; this includes combatants, but also ancillary roles such as cooks, ‘wives’ and guards. However, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes often use narrower definitions which exclude many roles typically undertaken by girls. In failing to recognise girls’ experiences, DDR programmes leave them vulnerable. They escape trafficking situations only to face a lack of support and a high risk of re-exploitation. This chapter examines the remit and outcomes of DDR programmes. It assesses how they impact the futures of those both included and excluded and offers recommendations for more effective, inclusive efforts going forwards