Saying “No” to domestic violence in Uganda
25 June 2007
Related pages:
Uganda country page |
Millennium Development Goal 3: Gender
 Image courtesy of CEDOVIP/Christine Musuya
There is a saying in Uganda that “bedroom matters are better left in the
home”. But for many Ugandan women, one “bedroom matter” that has stayed too long
behind closed doors is domestic violence. In some parts of the country, it is
not uncommon for women to suffer terrible beatings at the hands of their
husbands, but for these crimes to go unreported or unprosecuted.
The traditional belief that men are supreme in the household, and are entitled
to use force to bring their wives into line, means that men, women and the
authorities often fail to recognise how unacceptable domestic violence is.
Clearly, it is time for attitudes to change - which is why DFID is supporting
the
 Centre
for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP) in its work to turn a silent
human rights issue into a very loud and clear one.
Changing deep-seated beliefs
Concentrating on the Ugandan capital of Kampala, CEDOVIP aims to prevent
domestic violence by focusing on the received ideas that allow it to flourish. A non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Centre works closely
with another NGO called
Raising
Voices, going into communities and institutions like the police and health
services to reinforce the message that, even if it happens in the privacy of the
home, violence is wrong and a blind eye must not be turned to it. DFID is
supporting CEDOVIP's campaign with £119,000 of funding, which began in March
2006 and will last until February 2009.
 Back
to top
Involving the police
 Image courtesy of CEDOVIP/Christine Musuya
At
Kawempe Police Station in the north of Kampala, training sessions provided by
CEDOVIP are changing the way that domestic violence cases are handled. In the
past, police would leave these matters to be solved by relatives or the husband.
CEDOVIP has now taught them that domestic abuse is a violation of human rights, and
therefore demands police intervention.
Abbey Ngako, a Community Liaison Officer at the station, admits that, prior to
the training, the police did not have the understanding or the skills to deal
with abuse between husbands and wives. However, CEDOVIP has made them aware that
the issue is a serious one – with links to abortion, prostitution and murder –
and one that requires a dedicated response. Across Kampala, CEDOVIP's campaign
is waking people up to this fact. As Abbey says: “For women and men, the concept
of 'domestic violence', which used to be unheard of, is now getting a voice and
is being acknowledged as possible and an issue to be addressed.”
With the Uganda Police Force, CEDOVIP has developed a Police Domestic
Violence Handbook for officers. This contains essential information on how to
interview children, victims and suspects; how to assess the risk of violence
within a particular household; how to mediate between aggressive spouses; how to
help victims towards safety; and where to refer survivors to for further help.
The Handbook, which will be used by police throughout the country, should
provide an invaluable tool in fighting this crime.
Back
to top
Reaching the widest audience
 Image courtesy of CEDOVIP/Christine Musuya
A crucial part of CEDOVIP's campaign has been to make use of the media and
public events to spread its message to the largest possible audience. Already,
CEDOVIP has broadcast shows on national television in which viewers are invited to phone
in with their comments and questions about domestic violence. A specialist on gender issues
provides answers. Shows so far have included: "What do men say about domestic violence?";
"Promoting women's empowerment"; "Men should be responsible in their intimate
relationships"; and "The role of the police in addressing domestic violence".
CEDOVIP has also used print media to raise awareness of the cause. Articles
have appeared in Kampala's local newspapers calling for an end to domestic
violence ("Domestic violence up!"), reporting on the good work being done by
campaigners ("Ending violence is a priority, activists say"), and setting out
how to tackle the issue ("Battling domestic violence"). In addition, CEDOVIP has
organised football matches, staged plays and coordinated drives to bring the
subject to people's attention.
Back
to top
More than a bedroom matter
The campaign's broad-ranging approach has also seen it target religious and
local leaders, policy makers and civil society organisations (CSOs) such as
charities. On the local level, vital work is also being carried out by community
"champions" on domestic abuse, who step in to find a peaceful resolution to
hostile situations. On a national level, a new Domestic Violence Bill - which
incorporates CEDOVIP recommendations - will shortly become law. As a result of
CEDOVIP's efforts, there is greater recognition, among ordinary people and
within institutions, that domestic violence is more than just a "bedroom
matter", and that defeating it means getting it out in the open.
Back
to top
Key facts
- Statistics of domestic violence are hard to come by in Uganda because
the majority of the cases are not reported.
- CEDOVIP and Raising Voices are sharing their experience
with ten CSOs from eight districts to prevent domestic violence.
- CEDOVIP heads a coalition of eight CSOs working on women’s rights and
has partnered with several other organisations to create awareness about
domestic violence and the rationale for having a specific national law
addressing domestic violence.
- CEDOVIP’s work began as a partnership between three other local NGOs:
Raising Voices, the
National
Association of Women’s Organizations in Uganda (NAWOU) and
Action
Aid: Uganda. In 2003, CEDOVIP became an independent organization.
- Ugandan law recognises women’s human rights in its constitution and is
party to the
Convention
on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (DEVAW),
yet violence against women happens at alarming rates.
Back
to top
Links
 Back to top
|
Directgov |
