As Uganda joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) that happens every year from 25th November to 10 December, Women Rights Organizations have called upon the 11th parliament to pass the gender bills which were sent back from 10th parliament in order to rescue women from violence.
As Uganda joins the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence (GBV) that happens every year from 25th November to 10 December, Women Rights Organizations have called upon the 11th parliament to pass the gender bills which were sent back from 10th parliament in order to rescue women from violence.
While addressing journalists at Uganda Museum, The Domestic Violence Act coalition organizations which include; Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA), Center for Domestic violence prevention (CEDOVIP), Action Aid, Uganda Women Network (UWONET), Akina Mama Ya Afrika, Federation of Female Lawyers Association (FIDA), Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) and others say that Parliament needs to fast track the gender bills that were recently brought back to 11th Parliament. These bills include the Sexual offensive bill, Employment bill and Succession amendment bill.
Namataka Grace………Namataka Grace, Programmes Officer CEDOVIP
According to the women rights movement (DVA), existing legal and policy that safeguards against violence against women are not in action and violation of human rights has remained a persistent challenge that has disproportionately affected women and girls. Violence against women and girls has devastating repercussions including death.
Today Uganda is still grappling with a high prevalence of violence against women and girls. The recent statistics of 2020 by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) still indicate high rates of violence against women and girls. The 2020 UBOS survey found that 56% of women have experienced intimate partner violence of a sexual or physical nature or both, 76% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a non-partner. The survey further reveals that 22% of the perpetrators are family members, and 86% of women have experienced violence at their workplace. Furthermore, there have been several reports of cases of defilement and teenage pregnancies countrywide.
This year’s theme is “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!” Reflecting on the colour of Orange which is bright and optimistic and represents a future free from violence against women and girls. The women activists hope that Uganda will bring on board policies that will promote a violence-free environment for women and girls. They also urge the judicial sector to prioritize violence against women and girls cases that were reported during Covid-19 and to speed up investigations to achieve justice
Hawa Kagoya……Hawa Kagoya, Programmes Manager
The women have also advised the Ministry of Education ahead of the expected re-opening of schools, to work collaboratively with the Ministry of Gender and not only support the teenage mothers return to school but also establish and strengthen systems that prevent violence against children.
By Byamukama Alozious
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Mama FM
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