Courtship rape still rampant in Karamoja
Dec 16, 2009
WOMEN in Karamoja are suffering all types of gender violence, including courtship rape, the UN has said in a report. The report, released yesterday by the UN Population Fund, was launched by gender state minister Rukia Nakadama Isanga at Hotel Africana in
By Anne Mugisa
WOMEN in Karamoja are suffering all types of gender violence, including courtship rape, the UN has said in a report. The report, released yesterday by the UN Population Fund, was launched by gender state minister Rukia Nakadama Isanga at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The report made shocking revelations such as rape taking place during cultural practices like courtship and cattle raids.
Children are becoming wives and mothers, the report said, adding that women endure physical violence with no support from the system.
On the contrary, the report said, the system allows harmful cultural practices to continue with impunity. It added that the realities in Karamoja make it challenging to work for sustainable development.
Practices that impact negatively on women include rape during courtship, widow inheritance and general sexual violence. Widow inheritance was originally meant to ensure that the widow and orphans are protected and provided for but it has since been abused, the report states.
The widow is taken over but her children are neglected and exploited by the new husband.
The report pointed out that few of these cases are reported to the formal justice system. Even then, they are frustrated by authorities who deem them to be cultural issues. Many of the cases end up in the cultural justice system which stifles the case in favour of the perpetrators.
Sexual violence is increasing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Karamoja.
Referring to the Uganda Demographic Survey for 2006, Nakadama observed that 60% of women experienced physical violence, 30% sexual violence and 16% violence due to pregnancy.
Statistics indicate that sexual violence is the highest in the eastern region (74%), followed by the eastern-central region (62%) and Karamoja (60%). It is lowest in Central Uganda (24%) and Kampala (41%).
Nakadama said gender- based violence cases top the crime list but few offenders are convicted. Only 4,059 out of 12,230 defilement cases in 2007 were ever taken to court with, only 23 convictions. Of the 599 reported rape cases, only 258 were taken to court and only five were heard and convicted, she added.
WOMEN in Karamoja are suffering all types of gender violence, including courtship rape, the UN has said in a report. The report, released yesterday by the UN Population Fund, was launched by gender state minister Rukia Nakadama Isanga at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The report made shocking revelations such as rape taking place during cultural practices like courtship and cattle raids.
Children are becoming wives and mothers, the report said, adding that women endure physical violence with no support from the system.
On the contrary, the report said, the system allows harmful cultural practices to continue with impunity. It added that the realities in Karamoja make it challenging to work for sustainable development.
Practices that impact negatively on women include rape during courtship, widow inheritance and general sexual violence. Widow inheritance was originally meant to ensure that the widow and orphans are protected and provided for but it has since been abused, the report states.
The widow is taken over but her children are neglected and exploited by the new husband.
The report pointed out that few of these cases are reported to the formal justice system. Even then, they are frustrated by authorities who deem them to be cultural issues. Many of the cases end up in the cultural justice system which stifles the case in favour of the perpetrators.
Sexual violence is increasing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Karamoja.
Referring to the Uganda Demographic Survey for 2006, Nakadama observed that 60% of women experienced physical violence, 30% sexual violence and 16% violence due to pregnancy.
Statistics indicate that sexual violence is the highest in the eastern region (74%), followed by the eastern-central region (62%) and Karamoja (60%). It is lowest in Central Uganda (24%) and Kampala (41%).
Nakadama said gender- based violence cases top the crime list but few offenders are convicted. Only 4,059 out of 12,230 defilement cases in 2007 were ever taken to court with, only 23 convictions. Of the 599 reported rape cases, only 258 were taken to court and only five were heard and convicted, she added.