Acholi chiefs to fight gender violence
Mar 18, 2010
The Acholi cultural institution has launched a five-year fight against the rampant domestic violence in the region as the internally displaced persons return to their villages.
By Chris Ocowun
The Acholi cultural institution has launched a five-year fight against the rampant domestic violence in the region as the internally displaced persons return to their villages.
According to the prime minister of Ker Kwaro Acholi, Kenneth Oketta, the United Nations Development Fund for Women contributed sh147m towards the campaign.
The paramount chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, said the institution has documented principles and practices that promote and protect human rights and discourage gender-based domestic violence.
The institution was supported by the UN, through the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA), to compile its cultural practices and principles.
Acana said women face many gender-based problems arising from the wrong interpretation of culture and traditional values.
“This manifests itself in inheritance of widows, ownership of land and mistreatment of orphans and widows,†Acana noted during the launching of the campaign at Acholi Inn on Monday.
“The Acholi sub-region is emerging from a long civil strife which had a negative impact on women and children. We found it important to launch a campaign on gender-based violence if the dignity and survival of women and family is to be guaranteed,†Acana said.
He disclosed that during the LRA war, women were abducted, raped and infected with diseases.
“A lot of violence is usually blamed on culture. I want to disassociate myself from those who blame culture for the bad things they do. It is cowardice that makes men do bad things to women,†Acana remarked.
“We, as Ker Kwaro Acholi, are redefining our role today after fighting for peace. Let us be exemplary in using culture to develop and not as a means for suppressing others,†he added.
Acana called on local governments and MPs to support the institution in its campaign by coming up with bylaws and ordinances where necessary.
The Emorimor of Teso and Won Nyaci of Langi hailed Ker Kwaro Acholi for coming out to support women’s rights.
Won Nyaci said he had banned mini-skirts and commercial sex in Lango.
The Emorimor of Teso dismissed the perception that gender-based violence is associated with culture, saying old people never experienced the problem.
“In our culture there is no where we preach to inflict pain on anybody. Culture is the anchor of character,†he said.
The Acholi cultural institution has launched a five-year fight against the rampant domestic violence in the region as the internally displaced persons return to their villages.
According to the prime minister of Ker Kwaro Acholi, Kenneth Oketta, the United Nations Development Fund for Women contributed sh147m towards the campaign.
The paramount chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, said the institution has documented principles and practices that promote and protect human rights and discourage gender-based domestic violence.
The institution was supported by the UN, through the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA), to compile its cultural practices and principles.
Acana said women face many gender-based problems arising from the wrong interpretation of culture and traditional values.
“This manifests itself in inheritance of widows, ownership of land and mistreatment of orphans and widows,†Acana noted during the launching of the campaign at Acholi Inn on Monday.
“The Acholi sub-region is emerging from a long civil strife which had a negative impact on women and children. We found it important to launch a campaign on gender-based violence if the dignity and survival of women and family is to be guaranteed,†Acana said.
He disclosed that during the LRA war, women were abducted, raped and infected with diseases.
“A lot of violence is usually blamed on culture. I want to disassociate myself from those who blame culture for the bad things they do. It is cowardice that makes men do bad things to women,†Acana remarked.
“We, as Ker Kwaro Acholi, are redefining our role today after fighting for peace. Let us be exemplary in using culture to develop and not as a means for suppressing others,†he added.
Acana called on local governments and MPs to support the institution in its campaign by coming up with bylaws and ordinances where necessary.
The Emorimor of Teso and Won Nyaci of Langi hailed Ker Kwaro Acholi for coming out to support women’s rights.
Won Nyaci said he had banned mini-skirts and commercial sex in Lango.
The Emorimor of Teso dismissed the perception that gender-based violence is associated with culture, saying old people never experienced the problem.
“In our culture there is no where we preach to inflict pain on anybody. Culture is the anchor of character,†he said.