Catholic women council fights domestic violence

 

 

 

 

The President of Uganda Catholic Women council (Apostolate), Mary Assumpta Gidudu, said the campaign kicked off early this year covering 19 catholic dioceses in the country.

 

Gidudu was speaking during the closure of Uganda Episcopal Conference's 3rd annual launch of household income initiatives at Hotel Africana in Kampala last week.

 

She said the initiative, which was started by the catholic women, covers all the dioceses and implementation is done through structures of the church.

 

"We have initiated a programme that ends violence in the families by empowering them to start up small income-generating activities. We work hand-in-hand with our bishops and dioceses across the country," Gidudu said. 

 

She said during the campaign, women groups participated in a drama competition that depicted the fight against domestic violence in families. The winners walked away with prizes, with Kasese and Tororo dioceses, the best groups, getting trophies and sh1m each.

 

 

 

The Uganda National Catholic Women's Council comprises of elected Christian leaders from all dioceses countrywide. Its executive is led by  Gidudu (from Lugazi Diocese), Sarah Apadet Okumu (vice-chair, from Tororo Archdiocese), Gorette Kugonza (secretary, Fort Portal Diocese), Dorothy Balojja (vice-secretary, Masaka Diocese) and Irene Labwot (treasurer, Gulu Archdiocese).

 

Other members are, Sophie Mbonigaba (Kabale Diocese, Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province), Harriet Mulumba (Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, Kampala Ecclesiastical Province), Sarah Akello (Kotido Diocese) and Anne Lumumba (Gulu Ecclesiastical Province).

 

Beatrice Lugalambi, the Centenary Bank general manager of business development, hailed the Catholic Church for allowing women to take charge of their empowerment through networks and community groups. 

 

"As a commercial bank, we have been encouraging women to save with us through SUPER Woman because it reduces poverty in households. We also encourage them to form groups in order to access our friendly loans," she said.

 

Lugalambi also announced the bank's donation of sh4m towards the campaign to fight against domestic violence.

 

Alex Rezida, the senior Counsel and chief guest hailed the church for helping families improve their livelihood through income-generating start-ups. 

 

He commended women leaders in the church, who train their members in ending poverty and violence.

 

"Domestic violence creates disunity in families and communities. I would like to salute the church, especially women leaders, who have been at the forefront of ending violence in families and households," Rezida said. 

 

He also announced a sh2m donation towards the campaign.

 

The co-ordinator of family programmes at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat, Florence Kwesigabo, said the campaign, which is already running in all the 19 Catholic dioceses, is implemented under the theme, Merciful Parents, Peaceful Families.

 

The function was also graced by the president of the Uganda National Council of Catholic Laity and deputy chief executive officer of Vision Group, Gervase Ndyanabo.