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Hidden Dimensions of Conflict in Sri Lanka: Case Studies of War Widows and Wives of ‘the disappeared, Nelun Gunase kera Gender Specialist ADB SLRM October 2005
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Case Studies War widow Sinhala Ethnic conflict Wife of ‘the disappeared’ Tamil Ethnic conflict
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Social implicatio ns of widowhood 3 life stages for women – childhood, marriage, widowhood Loss of social and cultural identity and value in society Myths and perceptions – considered to be unlucky, social outcast, seen as unfulfilled [as opposed to being married] Dependence on children, other family members.
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War widows Female heads of households Usually young and with young children Social stigma Some face rejection by in-laws Some face issues of inheritance of husband’s property/assets/entitlements Vulnerable to sexual exploitation New gender roles and responsibilities Coping with trauma of event and bereavement lack of support services/mechanisms – for trauma, child care, economic/livelihood activities.
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Wives o f ‘the disappeared’ - ‘the disappeared’: = another category of conflict victims – from both the Southern Insurrection [1989 – 90] and the ethnic conflict = no body/bodies are found to prove death = now after 1 yr. – the wife has legal remedies to have status as a widow and get compensation and some limited social assistance.
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Wives o f ‘the disappeared’ contd. - de facto head of household - usually with young children -ambiguous social status -inability to perform rituals/funeral rites to demonstrate transfer of civil status from wife to widow -Trauma of loss and uncertainty -Lack of closure
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Wives o f ‘the disappeared’ contd. -Recasting of gender roles and responsibilities – uncertainty of temporary ore permanent situation -Coping with changed social status and social stigma -Lack of definite social identity and status -Vulnerable to sexual exploitation -Specificity of situation unrecognized. ---------
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