Understanding aspirations and negotiations of women war survivors and the implications for children’s education in Uganda

This study explores the pivotal role of education as a mechanism for social restoration and a beacon of hope for women and their children born amidst the conflict in Northern Uganda. It delves into the experiences of women who endured the trauma of wartime sexual violence, highlighting their efforts to articulate and navigate their past while fostering aspirations for a brighter future. The narrative highlights these women’s determination to build the life they desire, focusing on the hope of a better future for their children through education and personal growth. The mothers’ “everyday” notions of social repair and hope are embodied in the many ways they aspire to rebuild their lives and renegotiate their roles as daughters who have been rejected by their natal relatives. Education is one way they strive to overcome reintegration challenges, reclaiming their social status and relationships, sometimes shaped by Acholi societal notions of motherhood.