Domestic violence rising in Nebbi
Mar 09, 2009
HUSBANDS who batter wives should be prosecuted, Nebbi district chairperson John Pascal Wapokra has said.
By Patrick Jaramogi
HUSBANDS who batter wives should be prosecuted, Nebbi district chairperson John Pascal Wapokra has said.
“Women are equal just like men and should be treated equally and given equal opportunities. Men who batter their wives will face justice,†he said during the opening of a women’s violence treatment and counselling centre at Nebbi Community Social Centre on Thursday.
The centre that will treat and counsel women affected by domestic violence was funded by Actionaid International Uganda under the Women Wont Wait project.
Actionaid has similar centres in Katakwi, Pallisa and Mubende districts that it opened last year.
Wapokra said domestic violence among families was rampant and was affecting production among households.
“We need to address the social injustices women face especially regarding sexual violence,†he said.
Angela Anyolitho, the chairperson Nebbi women’s council, said domestic violence in the district accounts for 65% of the cases recorded with the Police.
“Women are beaten for not cooking fish or meat that husbands didn’t buy. They are battered by drunken men, who forcefully demand sex,†she said.
According to Actionaid reports, Nebbi is among the leading districts with cases of domestic violence.
The district Police commander, Richard Mivule, said most of the cases reported to Police were about domestic violence.
“The issue of violence is high here. We are talking of over 60% of the cases. Some are never reported to the Police,†he said.
Mivule said efforts to address the issue were hampered by the failure of the wives to report for fear of being thrown out of their homes.
Actionaid’s director of programmes Specioza Kiwanuka said domestic violence had remained a secret aspect that must be resolved if women’s emancipation was to be achieved.
HUSBANDS who batter wives should be prosecuted, Nebbi district chairperson John Pascal Wapokra has said.
“Women are equal just like men and should be treated equally and given equal opportunities. Men who batter their wives will face justice,†he said during the opening of a women’s violence treatment and counselling centre at Nebbi Community Social Centre on Thursday.
The centre that will treat and counsel women affected by domestic violence was funded by Actionaid International Uganda under the Women Wont Wait project.
Actionaid has similar centres in Katakwi, Pallisa and Mubende districts that it opened last year.
Wapokra said domestic violence among families was rampant and was affecting production among households.
“We need to address the social injustices women face especially regarding sexual violence,†he said.
Angela Anyolitho, the chairperson Nebbi women’s council, said domestic violence in the district accounts for 65% of the cases recorded with the Police.
“Women are beaten for not cooking fish or meat that husbands didn’t buy. They are battered by drunken men, who forcefully demand sex,†she said.
According to Actionaid reports, Nebbi is among the leading districts with cases of domestic violence.
The district Police commander, Richard Mivule, said most of the cases reported to Police were about domestic violence.
“The issue of violence is high here. We are talking of over 60% of the cases. Some are never reported to the Police,†he said.
Mivule said efforts to address the issue were hampered by the failure of the wives to report for fear of being thrown out of their homes.
Actionaid’s director of programmes Specioza Kiwanuka said domestic violence had remained a secret aspect that must be resolved if women’s emancipation was to be achieved.