Govt launches National Gender Based Violence Database
Jul 10, 2015
Government has launched a National Gender-Based Violence Database (NGBVD) to safely collect, store and generate reports on Gender Based Violence in real time.
By Cecilia Okoth
Government has launched a National Gender-Based Violence Database (NGBVD) to safely collect, store and generate reports on Gender Based Violence in real time.
NGBVD is an online management information system that is designed to collect, store and analyze Gender Based Violence (GBV) data in both humanitarian and non-humanitarian settings
The web based software, according the Ministry for Gender, Labour and Social Development will also make GBV incident reporting and response services more evidence based.
During the launch held at the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala, the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Wilson Muruli Mukasa said the NGBVD will be used to bridge the gap of limited availability of GBV incident data within the country.
"Information Communication Technology has the potential to improve interaction between Governments and citizens, fostering transparency and accountability in governance," Mukasa said.
He added that the fact that the Ministry had upgraded its information services from the traditional systems to an online database is a demonstration of their commitment to continuously improve the services they offer to the public.
"The data and information under the NGBVD will serve as a resource for GBV programming, evidence based research, informing policy formulation, planning and budgeting to enhance the status of men, women, girls and boys," The minister added.
According to the Uganda Demographic Health Survey of 2011, 56% of women in Uganda have experienced physical violence at some point since the age of 15 years.
28% of women aged 15-49 have experienced sexual violence and 16 % have experienced violence during pregnancy.
Police records have also shown high numbers of defilement and rape which make girls vulnerable to physical and sexual violence, sexually transmitted infection including HIV.
Christine Akumu the Gender Focal Point Officer in Gulu district said ever since they started collecting data from some sub-counties in the district, most cases reported on include early and forced marriages that people are afraid of reporting to police.
In Namutumba District however, Samuel Lwanga, the District Community Development Officers said the database system has helped them identify cases of defilement that are rampant in the area and are not normally addressed due to corrupt officials.
"NGBVD is an initiative of the Government of Uganda which we have been proud to support through the UN joint programme on GBV," said Kyrre Holm who was speaking on behalf of the Norwegian Ambassador Thorbjorn Gaustadsaether.
He said there can be no sustainable development without women's inclusion, politically and economically, adding that in implementing this ambitious policy, there has been recognition of GBV as a fundamental road block to development.
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