Leaders in Arua embrace new GBV reporting app

GBV |

Safe pal, a new web-based interactive application developed by the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has been launched in Arua city and district.

The reporting application that has already been rolled out in 112 districts and cities in the country is used for confidentially report Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases among youths as well as, disseminating massages, promoting communication, learning, and information exchange on HIV/AIDS, Sexual Reproductive Health(SRH), malaria and tuberculosis.

Nationally, it was launched on September 23, 2020, by the state minister for Youth and Children Affairs.

Sande Alex Bashaija, the communication and advocacy officer at the gender ministry, says this app will help the less privileged community especially the youth to confidently report cases of sexual GBV.

"We know that very many cases are taking place without being reported, so safe pal is coming in handy to offer them that safe platform where they can report these cases without being antagonized," says Bashaija.

He notes that a safe pal will enable the get services quicker because they are going to provide information on all the service providers in Arua to whom they can easily run to for help in case of challenges.

Bashaija confirms that they have received a positive response from the districts where the application has been launched in terms of reporting.

Edward Endraa, the senior probation and welfare Officer Arua district says, this app has come timely as many GBV cases have not been reported due to negative cultural practices.

He says culture looks at girls as a source of meat for the clan and issues of reporting GBV cases have been seen as an abominable act in some cultures.

He says over 600 GBV cases have been reported in the community services department since January of which 508 were reported by women while 98 by male. This implies that men are the main perpetrators of violence and encouraged women to always open up once faced with such challenges.

"To me, some punitive measures should be taken against men who deliberately orchestrate violence in families and communities so as to act as a deterrent factor," Endraa says.

Moses Mandebo, the Information Officer for Lugbara cultural institution, despite acknowledging the usefulness of the new app, questioned the effectiveness of the strategy especially in apprehending the perpetrators and offering justice to the victims.

He says when the first strategy of ‘SAUTI' and SMS 116 were launched by the same ministry, a lot of cases were reported but wondered how many pursued them to the end.

"Also, this is web-based and I do not know how many people have smartphones in the villages, however, it is a good initiative because every life matters,, Mandebo said.

Regina Paricia, the chairperson of community services committee Arua district local government says, men's shyness to report GBV cases implies that they are the initiators of conflicts in the society and therefore, cannot report themselves.

"Men are the ones who beat women, they are the ones raping girls, defiling, refusing to pay school fees for children and many others, so they cannot come out to report themselves," says Paricia.

She, therefore, encouraged the women and youths to take advantage of this new app to raise their concerns if they fear coming to the police and probation office.

Some of the West Nile districts where the new application was launched include, Maracha, Koboko, Nebbi, and Yumbe, among others.