With an agreement on the DDR of LRA rebels signed and hopes for a final peace agreement on the horizon, we thought it important to point out two recent SWAY reports on war-affected youth in northern Uganda. A November 2007 brief highlights the need for assistance programs that target specific needs (such as literacy and livelihoods) rather than certain categories of youth (such as formerly abducted LRA rebels). A February 2008 brief focuses on women and girls, demonstrating the difficulties they face accessing secondary education and being exposed to domestic violence and family and community conflicts. It argues for an emphasis on gender mainstreaming, livelihood development and targeted health and conflict resolution interventions in policies and programs.

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