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Sexual Violence in Burundi: Victims, perpetrators, and the role of conflict

Author

Listed:
  • Nathalie E. J. Dijkman

    (London School of Economics and Political Science)

  • Catrien Bijleveld

    (NSCR Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, VU University Amsterdam)

  • Philip Verwimp

    (ECARES, Centre Emile Bernheim and Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Universit� Libre de Bruxelles)

Abstract

In this paper we shed light on sexual violence in Burundi in the aftermath of its civil war. By presenting the results of a mixed-method research we discuss five topics: prevalence of sexual violence, a profile of victims, a profile of perpetrators, sexual violence�s relation to civil war and its current legal reactions and challenges. By means of multivariate regression analyses we predict women�s vulnerability to sexual- and gender based violence (GBV) in the context of war compared to everyday life. We find that age, schooling, living in an IDP camp and household wealth before the civil war have significantly different effects on GBV in both contexts. Many uniformed and armed men committed sexual violence during the war, and it appears that today ex-combatants and military continue to do so. From qualitative interviews we find several factors that connect Burundi�s past conflict to today�s violence, among which a weakened solidarity in communities and a problematic integration of ex-combatants in society. Impunity marks life in today�s Burundi, in particular in relation to persisting sexual violence. A thorough reconciliation or adjudication process since the civil war, as well as today�s difficulties to prosecute and pursue perpetrators, are among the main challenges for countering sexual violence in Burundi.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathalie E. J. Dijkman & Catrien Bijleveld & Philip Verwimp, 2014. "Sexual Violence in Burundi: Victims, perpetrators, and the role of conflict," HiCN Working Papers 172, Households in Conflict Network.
    • Handle: RePEc:hic:wpaper:172
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lee Ann Fujii, 2010. "Shades of truth and lies: Interpreting testimonies of war and violence," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 47(2), pages 231-241, March.
    2. Lieberman, Evan S., 2005. "Nested Analysis as a Mixed-Method Strategy for Comparative Research," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 99(3), pages 435-452, August.
    3. Philip Verwimp & Jan Van Bavel, 2014. "Schooling, Violent Conflict, and Gender in Burundi," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 28(2), pages 384-411.
    4. Elisabeth Jean Wood, 2006. "Variation in Sexual Violence during War," Politics & Society, , vol. 34(3), pages 307-342, September.
    5. Verwimp, Philip, 2012. "Undernutrition, subsequent risk of mortality and civil war in Burundi," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 10(3), pages 221-231.
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    Cited by:

    1. Douglas Page & Samuel Whitt, 2020. "Confronting Wartime Sexual Violence: Public Support for Survivors in Bosnia," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 64(4), pages 674-702, April.
    2. Trudell, John Paul & Burnet, Maddison L. & Ziegler, Bianca R. & Luginaah, Isaac, 2021. "The impact of food insecurity on mental health in Africa: A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    3. Bianca R Ziegler & Moses Kansanga & Yuji Sano & Joseph Kangmennaang & Daniel Kpienbaareh & Isaac Luginaah, 2021. "Antenatal care and skilled birth in the fragile and conflict‐affected situation of Burundi," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(4), pages 1081-1106, July.

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