Survivors' perspectives informed the exhibit's development. Survivors from northern Uganda shared their stories and their drawings. Original drawings by former abductees depict life in captivity. These drawings help their audience to understand survivors' experiences and their needs now. The drawings also support survivors in their storytelling. Survivors' leadership and their definition of justice and reparations are supported by the exhibition.

“So there were several issues that were affecting them [survivors] like health issues; socially they were not accepted; economically they had issues. That’s why today I would like to say that in terms of justice, according to my analysis and interactions with those affected by war—who I represent here today—justice to the women I represent is dealing with their needs.” - Grace Acan, 2019, CMHR event

“Justice” has different meanings for different people. Also, justice can mean different things depending on the context. In a legal context, justice is associated with going to court and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. However, legal storytelling does not always serve survivors.

For survivors of forced marriage in war justice addresses their needs now. Ododo Wa encourages survivors to share what justice means to them. By making space to talk about justice for survivors and their communities consensus can be built about what holistic survivor-centred justice and reparations entail. Gender is a key dimension of survivors' experiences and needs. Through their work Acan and Amony show that justice is not just going to court. Real justice requires conversations about what happened during the war, its ongoing effects and gendered dimensions, as well as survivors’ needs. 

Transitional justice processes have started in Uganda. However, there are many barriers for survivors to access justice. Limited access to justice creates barriers for survivor-centred justice. It also prevents survivors' from contributing to legal discourse and definitions. Since forced marriage in war is often connected to sexual assault, forced pregnancy, forced birth, forced motherhood, and other types of forced labour associated with social reproduction in a conflict zone, survivor-centred spaces, with childcare, healthcare and economic supports, must be established, protected, and continuously fostered.

Survivors’ gender-specific needs vary based on their own contexts. Therefore, survivor-centred justice refers to addressing the different needs of survivors, even if that may vary from person to person. As Acan states, holistic survivor-centred justice is urgent:

 “we [survivors] would like to see transitional justice implemented while we’re still alive.”

Survivors’ advocacy efforts, and their calls for reparations, including access to education, healthcare, food and water, and other vital resources, must be treated as urgent and benefit them directly. 

A holistic meaning of gender justice is showcased through the exhibit and the conversations it inspires. Curatorial decisions, such as including survivors' drawings and collaborating in choosing which artefacts to showcase, are part of the justice-making processes of the exhibit.


Using artefacts and drawings shifts the focus away from the violence of the war. Instead, the focus is on the perspective and experiences of women and girls. This exhibit foregrounds Acan's and Amony's agency, strength, and resilience as well as their efforts to access and expand justice. 

What do survivors need now? 

Read Grace Acan and Evelyn Amon's reflection about presenting the traveling exhibit in Uganda.   

Sources:

• Quotes and audio recordings featured on this page are drawn from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights' "Ododo Wa: Stories of Girls in War" exhibit launch, held 23 October, 2019. If you are interested in reviewing the transcripts, please email your request to csiwproj@yorku.ca.