Psycho-Social Effects of Conflicts on the Lives of Women

This book focuses on the psychosocial effects of conflicts. It provides an analysis of the social and psychological effects of conflicts on the lives of women. Displacement, separation from family, detention, rape and other forms of sexual violence, grief, loss or disappearance of relatives, fear, all forms of bodily harm, stress due to many responsibilities and scarce resources, lack of basic needs, rejection after rape and change of role after loss of husband are the main areas captured in the book. The book is based on a study whose sample consisted of women from two areas: West Pokot and North Pokot in the North Rift of Kenya. The study findings reveal that during conflicts women experience social and psychological problems hence living in a state of hopelessness and helplessness. Consequently, the author recommends that the Kenya government and other stakeholders should increase peace building capacities that fully involve women. She further suggests that there is need to alleviate poverty and illiteracy by setting up women empowerment strategies. This book is a must-read for scholars and policy makers involved in conflict studies and gender-related issues.

Autorentext

Lenah J. Sambu holds MA in Counseling Psychology (United States International University) and B.Ed. in Counseling (Methodist University). She teaches at Rift Valley Technical Training Institute and also lectures at Moi University in the Department of Sociology and Psychology on part-time basis. She researches on Conflict and Gender issues.