RIGHTFULLY OURS

Introduction

War, the word that includes many questions. “The very loud sounds of bombing scare me,” she says, her innocent eyes filled with fear. “I’m afraid it will burn me.” While war affects entire populations, women and children bear unique burdens that shape their psychological responses and recovery trajectories. Wars may end on paper, but for millions of women and children, they never truly do. The enduring effects of permanent threat of survival remain in the hearts of people affected by displacement especially women and children. The world keeps track of the number of casualties, yet it rarely thinks about invisible wounds- the trauma that remains for generations. The recent wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Uganda, Sudan, Syria, and ethnic violence in Manipur, these wars have left psychological scars that outlast the physical destruction. This writing delves into the complex long-term psychological effects of war on these vulnerable populations, analysing both the mechanism of trauma and the pathways to resilience that emerge in a war’s aftermath. Beyond the direct experience of violence, armed combat has far-reaching psychological effects on women and children. Individual lives, family structures, and entire communities are all impacted, and these impacts frequently continue long after peace accords are signed. Several aspects, including the immediate trauma reactions, the developmental ramifications, the effects that are specific to gender, the intergenerational transmission patterns, and the intricate relationship between trauma and resilience that determines recovery paths, need to be examined to comprehend the long-term psychological effects of war.

 The Nature of War Trauma for Women and Children

Primary Trauma Mechanisms

War causes psychological trauma in many ways, often overlapping, as people constantly face similar threats and insecurities. The psychological effects of these traumatic events are exacerbated for women and children since they often take place in places that are typically thought of as safe, such as homes, schools, and community centres. Direct exposure to violence is one of the main mechanisms of trauma because it causes long-lasting impact on mental as well as physical health. Immediate psychological distress results from being exposed to bombs, shootings, torture, or public executions. Studies conducted in conflict areas in South Sudan, Yemen, and Syria show a strong correlation between these exposures and the onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can last for decades and manifest as intrusive memories, hyper vigilance, emotional numbness, and avoidance behaviours.

Trauma caused by conflict can show up in a number of terrible ways that reflect the tragic situation. Forced recruitment, physical assault, and sexual violence all cause personal victimization for women and children, which frequently leads to complicated emotional issues and long-term PTSD. By depriving families of social ties, cultural roots, and material security—all essential for children’s healthy emotional and developmental development–displacement exacerbates these problems. Chronic resource deprivation, on the other hand, exacerbates psychological stress by restricting access to necessities and support networks, which hinders recovery and has an impact on cognitive and emotional performance well into adulthood. One of the profound long-term effects of war is how traumatic experiences transfer between generations. This transmission occurs through multiple pathways–biological, psychological, and social–creating ripple effects that can persist long after direct conflict exposure ends. Psychological transmission also occurs through parenting practices and family dynamics. Parents suffering from unresolved trauma may struggle with emotional availability, consistent caregiving, or appropriate boundary setting.

Gender-Specific Impacts on Women

Women in conflict zones face unique psychological challenges due to gendered experiences. Sexual violence in conflict zones—which includes forced marriage, sexual slavery, rape, and reproductive coercion—also carries a heavy societal stigma that leaves victims feeling ashamed and guilty. Survivors of such violence are more likely to experience sadness, suicidal thoughts, and social rejection, according to research from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Furthermore, many women are forced to take on the position of principal breadwinner and de facto head of the household and protectors under harsh circumstances due to the disruption of traditional gender roles, which causes chronic stress and psychosomatic problems, as seen in Afghan women. Additionally, research shows that people who are responsible for caring for traumatized family members have greater rates of anxiety, sadness, and depression, which exacerbates their emotional toll.

Developmental Impacts on Children

War trauma leaves a lasting imprint on children by intersecting with key developmental processes. Emotional control, stress reactions, and cognitive processing can all be negatively impacted by long-term stress exposure as it can change brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Furthermore, children lack the vital emotional pillars required for resilience when stable attachment figures are disrupted or lost as a result of caregiver absence, relocation, or death. Studies have demonstrated that disturbed attachment might predict more severe trauma symptoms than direct violence, making this loss more harmful. Furthermore, the disintegration of educational infrastructures during times of conflict not only impedes academic advancement but also denies kids the chance to cultivate social skills and a positive outlook on the future. Every year that education is disrupted is linked to worse cognitive outcomes and higher risks for mental health issues. Finally, the curtailment of play—an activity vital for symbolic thinking, emotional processing, and social learning—further compounds these developmental setbacks, leaving children with enduring challenges that can affect their entire life trajectory. All these happenings are nightmares for the children, for which they are not even responsible. 

Post-Traumatic Growth

According to new studies on post-traumatic growth, people can try to undergo major beneficial changes even in the midst of the severe wounds caused by conflict. Women frequently experience a fresh sense of self-efficacy and political participation as a result of the disruption of established gender roles during war, which empowers them to take on leadership roles that last after the crisis despite ongoing suffering. In a similar vein, children may use their early hardships to develop greater empathy, resilience, and a dedication to social justice; they often find comfort and purpose in community involvement. Crucially, these positive changes coexist with persistent symptoms of trauma, highlighting the intricate dichotomy of post-traumatic growth—where extreme pain and amazing change go hand in hand. Community based interventions often demonstrate greater effectiveness than individual approaches, particularly in collectivist cultures where healing occurs in social contexts. Effective policies for addressing war’s psychological impact integrate mental health services into all post-conflict reconstruction efforts.

Conclusion

The long-term psychological impacts of war on women and children are a complex problem that includes trauma, interrupted developmental processes, and gender-specific difficulties. These effects also extend into interactions across generations as well as within families and communities. To properly comprehend and treat these impacts, an interdisciplinary approach that integrates neurobiological, psychological, social, and cultural viewpoints is necessary. Even though conflict causes a great deal of pain, when given the right support, women and children frequently show incredible resilience. Even while the wounds of war might never completely heal, they can be incorporated into meaningful and connected lives, underscoring our shared obligation to give psychological healing first priority, as it is a crucial component of establishing enduring peace.