Male Victims of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Uganda

Abstract: Abstract This research is dedicated to increasing the understanding of the phenomenon of conflict-related violence against men. The topic of conflict-related violence against men has through history been unnoticed, unaddressed, and unrecognized in the field of gender-based violence. Most of the literature, research, and documentation of sexual violence is subsequently more dedicated to women. However, even though there is limited research on the topic there has been an increase in research during the previous years. Moreover, research that does exist on conflict-related sexual violence against men is scarce and missing significant evidence due to underreporting on the issue. The objective of the research is to highlight the consequential gap in research regarding sexually violated men. Doing so by composing a case study on Uganda and analyzing how masculinities, gender norms, gender identity along with others affect sexually violated men, in distinction to the theoretical framework of hegemonic masculinity. Along with analyzing how two substantial organizations, Refugee Law Project, and Men of Hope Refugee Association Uganda, in Uganda, work with male victims of conflict-related sexual violence. This research is composed as a qualitative desk study using abductive reasoning as the analytical framework. The collected data is analyzed through content analysis followed by thematic analysis. The methodological approach and the analytical framework have been chosen to comprehend and achieve an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of conflict-related sexual violence against men more fully.