The Socio-critical Study of the Vulnerability of Displaced Women in Post Conflict Era in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The conflict between LTTE and Sri Lankan government led to a vast number of economic, civil, political, social, and cultural issues in the country. Women were the severely impacted of the war. During war time and after the war many survived women had to play the role of the caregiver and the head of the household while experiencing violence and exploitation. The objective of this research was to identify the challenges and issues faced by these displaced women after returning to their villages within the post conflict scenario. Mixed methodology was used in this research. 162 families from 06 villages of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Puttalam districts were interviewed. Also, human rights monitoring reports, reports from Grama Niladharies, relevant books and research papers were used to get information and for the purpose of conceptual identification. According to the data collected, it could see several issues faced by the displaced women in the post conflict era. Some were living with disabled husbands, some husbands were in detention centres and most women faced land and property issues. Government compensation was not received by these women. Therefore, the family income was unstable, and they had to face livelihood problems as well. Considering the data collected through the sample, the displaced women of these areas faced several problems. They were economically and socially unstable. They have experience violence of the war and suffering with traumatized children. Most of their marriages have happened to avoid the imposed recruitments to the Vanni war.