Dialogue Groups to Strengthen Community Relationships Post Conflict in Northern Uganda

Background and Purpose

A qualitative study was conducted in 2014 exploring the effects of armed conflict and internal displacement on women’s social, economic and cultural roles and responsibilities in northern Uganda. Findings were used to develop a community intervention to address the changes that were reported. The purpose of this paper is to describe this intervention and report initial outcomes.  

Conflict and displacement disrupts the networks that ensure a community’s health and well-being such as family networks due to loss from death and separation as members relocate to different camps or regions. Social, cultural and economic networks critical to sustaining livelihoods, land ownership, household income are also broken. Specific to women, women tended to resettle in urban areas rather than return to rural communities, they experienced loss of social identity as a result of loss of husbands, and their loss of familial connections necessary to attain access to land rights placed them at economic vulnerability.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected through 7 focus groups (118 women) and 47 individual interviews. Women’s age range was 18 – 79.  Grounded theory analysis was performed. HyperResearch was used to analyze the data. Member checking of major themes and interpretations of findings was conducted with participants and community members.

Major findings included 1) men’s decreased participation in family responsibilities with women having primary responsibility for raising children, farming and earning money, 2) changes in traditional marriage practices limiting women’s access to land rights necessary for economic well-being, and 3) challenges related to raising children.

During the member checking process women and men decided to address these issues. This participatory process resulted in the creation of the Dialogue Groups intervention - monthly discussion groups focused on community selected topics. This intervention is a collaboration between the first author’s academic institution, the second author’s Ugandan nongovernmental organization (NGO) and a religious organization. 

The intervention was launched in 2016 in two districts in northern Uganda. Principles of community participation, community empowerment, and cultural responsiveness guide this intervention.  Groups of women and men meet monthly in facilitator led discussions. There are 11 specific topics, one topic is addressed each month; the 12^th session is a review and summary of all topics. Modules have been developed for each topic and each group session has a structured format allowing uniformity of implementation. Examples of topics are; Respect, Communication, Relationships and Marriage, Livelihood Strategies, and Gender-Based Violence. 

Results of the Intervention

Groups report better functioning among family members, reduced use of alcohol among men, reduced gender-based violence, stronger connection among group members, and better ability to navigate changes in social and gender norms. 

Conclusion and Implications

The community has applauded this innovation as being unique and effective. There are implications for the expansion of the intervention to other sites in Uganda. Strengths and limitations of the intervention will be addressed. 

There are challenges of communication across long distances including internet access, on the ground implementation, illiteracy among members, and fidelity of implementation.  These challenges will be discussed.