Gulu City
Victims of gender based violence has been cautioned to always make good use of the available resources such as the national hotline 116 in-order to get free help.
This was made during the launch of “Let’s Change our Stories”, a campaign initiated to address the increasing rate of gender-based violence in Uganda, despite the 16 day annual activism event. The campaign also aims at channeling resources specifically to address the problem through social behavior change activities and also aims to reach out to the community, individuals all over Uganda, to help them change their mindset, discuss the issue in their homes, schools, and workplaces, and work together to solve the problem together.
Richard Nelson, the Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development, while marking his remarks during the launch says anyone can be a victim of gender based violence, regardless of their education or prominence.
“The campaign, which is just starting to roll out, will be monitored over the next few months to determine its impact and assess its effectiveness”, he said.
According to Nelson, the messages will create awareness and a sense of responsibility for individuals to address the issue in their families and communities, adding that the state can take all the responsibility, but individual members of the community must take action and change their behavior.
He further says Let’s Change Our Stories is a multifaceted that will use various media channels, including mass media, individual dialogues, influencers, social media, radio, and television with its focuses on education and educating people about the problem and triggers that can lead to gender-based violence with its aims to prevent the perpetration of such violence.
“With such as the national hotline 116, which is a free number for help, the campaign encourages media coverage and mentioning the hotline to spread the word about resources available at various health facilities, whether private or public, to provide support to victims with the key measures including promoting awareness about the hotline and providing support at health facilities”, he added.
Nelson explained that Gender-based violence is a complex issue worldwide, affecting victims in various forms, including old men, young women, and children, adding that Statistics show that victims are almost always women, but men have a greater percentage of emotional abuse victims.
“To address this issue, interventions and language should involve men as the perpetrators. While women can also be victims, men are the majority of perpetrators. Dialogue is essential in addressing this issue, whether in the home, religious community, schools, or other settings”, he added.
He further explained that dialogue can help young men understand that it is not right to commit violence against anyone, whether it’s physical, sexual, or emotional though GBV can happen to anyone it is crucial to remember that everyone can be a victim and a perpetrator.
Okello Okuna, the Prime Minister Ker Kwaro Acoli says the challenges faced by communities in displaced camps, such as children’s land, have evolved over time as men face challenges in caring for their families, losing animals, and struggling with government compensation.
Okuna pointed to things such as the Cultural practices like funeral rites and celebrations that have changed where after the burial of the deceased, people bring music systems to the area. The children are not cared for, and the nightfall is unpredictable hence leading to gender based violence.
According to Okuna, as the cultural institution, an ordinance is being developed to ban these discos played during the funeral rites.
“In December 2020, chiefs and development partners developed marriage principles that set the maximum and bare minimum for young men to marry. The minimum is three million, five million, and three cows, with an increase in people paying for weddings. However, polygamy in African society is prevalent, with men and women often returning drunkards and neglecting their responsibilities. This leads to gender-based violence, fighting, and a significant challenge”, he stated.
He further says traditional methods such as drumming have also been criticized for serious giving and child abuse as in most cases seen fighting which lead to chaos and gender based violence.
Dr. Bishop Janani Luwum, the Incharge of Public Health Care services at Gulu regional referral hospital says in its effort to fight GBV a number of entry point have been initiated such as Out-Patient Department which include the main OPD, adolescent clinic, ART clinic and Gyn.
Others include maternity and the accident and Emergency Unit, adding that these are all equipped with GBV register to capture data on all cases of GBV where service team manages service provision, counseling, and treatment, including surgical or medical procedures.
He revealed that health education is also provided to raise awareness among the community about GBV a case, stating that over 97 per cent of the community is unaware of these cases as they conduct health talks, counseling, and liaises with the police to guide the law. Hospital team members are invited to testify in court, providing testimony on the results of medical examinations.
According to Luwum, Community awareness is also promoted through radio talks shows and hospital engagement, as well as liaising with district counterparts at various health facilities and communities. Collaboration with cultural leaders is encouraged to address both negative and positive practices. Counseling psychosocial support is also provided, and a chaplain in Gulu Regional hospital helps religious leaders interface with the community.
“As of October 2022 to September 2023, 493 cases of GBV were registered at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital of which 108 were of sexual violence survivors eligible for PEP documented, 53 percent initiated on PEP, he revealed.
The alarming statistics of gender-based violence show that one in three women worldwide experiences such violence.
In Uganda, over 50% of women will experience physical or sexual abuse, which is unacceptable. In the Acoli region, 78% of women will experience such violence.
However the state and healthcare system should be responsible for ensuring justice, not the victim. They urge for rapid change in the system to ensure victims receive proper treatment and perpetrators are put behind bars. This will help prevent criminal behavior and educate individuals about the consequences of such acts.
Further emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue, as it affects the economic status, security, families, and communities of the Acoli region. They believe that addressing this issue is in everyone’s interest, as it affects all of us, including the Acoli region’s families and communities. The speaker expresses their frustration and hopes to bring about change to improve the situation for all.
