Form COVID-19 family task force, says gender minister

Apr 16, 2020

"The family head should be responsible for the coordination and mobilization of all family members at home for their safety and strict observance of the measures in relation to the prevention of COVID-19,” Mutuuzo said.

COVID-19 | FAMILY

State Minister for Gender and Cultural Affairs Peace Mutuuzo has urged the general public to create COVID-19 family task forces to help mobilize and coordinate family members against the pandemic.

"Each family should form a COVID-19 task force headed by the family head or guardian. The family head should be responsible for the coordination and mobilization of all family members at home for their safety and strict observance of the measures in relation to the prevention of COVID-19," Mutuuzo said.

She said the efforts are geared at strengthening the directives issued by President Yoweri Museveni and the ministry to curb the spread of the pandemic which has infected over two million lives Worldwide.

Mutuuzo said some of the roles of the family task force will be to ensure family members are equipped with information about COVID-19, to ensure members adhere to the ministry of health regulations and keep critical contacts in case of emergencies.

She encouraged parents to take advantage of the stay home period to build better relationships with their children.

"Respect the ban on visitations during COVID-19 pandemic by not allowing family members to go visiting other families even in the neighbourhood and do not allow visitors into your home," Mutuuzo said.

 
She said all home discos, cultural dances, plays and video shows, birthday parties that might attract the attention of neighbours should be suspended immediately and keep social distancing even within the house.

Mutuuzo also highlighted the standard operating procedures for the prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV) during the Corona Virus.

She decried the increasing cases of human rights abuses that women, girls, and children are facing in different parts of the country as a consequence of the pandemic.

"As a ministry, we condemn these acts of violence in the strongest terms and call for an end to this undesired behaviour. Policies and regulations have been formulated by the ministry to safeguard vulnerable persons," Mutuuzo said.

She advised people to choose to talk to their partners to address challenges in families as opposed to violence.

"The pandemic will come to pass. Let it leave your families with a stronger bond and let us talk and support each through this tough time," Mutuuzo said.

She called upon communities to refrain from cultural and community practices that promote gender inequality such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation. 

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