Ramped up calls against GBV and harmful practices

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The National Women’s Council has vowed to continue advocating for policies that protect women and girls in Uganda.

At the national celebration of the International Women's Day in Kyankwanzi district on Saturday, the council's hierarchy spoke of the continued existence of issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriages.

The group said more needs to be done to counter GBV and the harmful practices — internationally recognized as human rights violations.

This year, the annual celebration of women has been themed around empowering women for sustainable development.

The emphasis here is on the need to protect girls and women from harmful practices while equipping them with skills to achieve economic independence.

(Credit: VPPU)

In her remarks, gender minister Betty Amongi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending the vices, saying laws are in place and progress is being made.

But she was also keen to criticize law enforcers for their negligence in handling such cases.

“When women go to report cases of violence, including gender-based violence, sometimes the Police family division will tell the woman, ‘Why don’t you go and solve this problem at home?’. 

"And so, the institutions sometimes are still not very supportive,” said Amongi.

She urged government agencies, civil society organizations, and local leaders to work together to eliminate these harmful practices.

“We cannot talk about women’s empowerment when our girls are still subjected to early marriages, when women live in fear of domestic violence, and when outdated practices like FGM continue to threaten their lives,” said the minister.

Despite efforts to curb GBV, statistics show that one in three women in Uganda has experienced physical or sexual violence.

FGM remains prevalent in some regions, particularly in the Karamoja and Sebei sub-regions, where girls as young as 10 are subjected to the practice.

Early marriages are also a major challenge, with nearly 34 per cent of Ugandan girls married before the age of 18, denying them access to education and economic opportunities.

Admittedly, Amongi said the government does not have funds to facilitate the distribution of sanitary towels to school-going children. 

Her recommendation to President Yoweri Museveni is for him to order a tax waiver to make sanitary products more affordable.

Museveni presided over Saturday's celebrations in the company of the First Lady and Minister of Education & Sports, Janet Museveni.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were government officials, women leaders, and community representatives.