Uganda traditional leaders rally support against GBV, child marriage

CULTURE|TRADITIONAL LEADERS|GBV

The traditional leaders in Uganda have joined Government towards ending the continued violence against women and girls (VAWGs).

Despite the existing legal framework to protect the rights of women and the girl child, they continue to be abused in different forms, under the pretext of culture in different communities.

However, in a move to address the challenge in the country, the cultural/traditional leaders have resolved to rally their support using their influence to put an end to various forms of abuses, especially those tagged to customs.

To show commitment, the leaders on Friday (November 27, 2020) consented to the establishment of the "Council of Traditional Leaders in Africa (COTLA)-Uganda Chapter" aimed at ending Gender Based Violence (GBV), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and other related negative practices, that perpetuate VAWGs in the country.

COTLA-Uganda chapter is part of the bigger of COTLA which brings together all cultural leaders aimed at promoting gender equality and equity.

During the launch of the chapter at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Friday, the King of the Japadhola Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Awor who represented Kings said the forum will be working under the Uganda Forum for Kings and Cultural Leaders to avoid confusion.

This comes a time when the country and entire world is commemorating 16days of activism against gender-based violence.

Awor stressed that Kings, Chiefs, Paramount Chiefs, and other traditional leaders in different areas have what it takes to engage their subjects and do away with negative practices that affect women and girls.

"The problem government has not been giving full recognition and importance of cultural institutions. On many occasions matters have been brought to Parliament and decisions are taken without consultation of the custodians (cultural leaders)," he added.

He said the issue of child marriage has always translated into domestic violence, because of the age differences between married off girls and men twice their age.

"A young girl getting married to a man twice her age, ideas can't rhyme. These are some of the things that need to be addressed to have peaceful homes," Awor noted.

"As Kings and traditional leaders in Uganda, we commit to the aspirations of COTLA founders and the current leadership at the African Union led by Convenor-General of COTLA, King Adedapo Aderemi in realising a progressive and Pan-Africanists COTLA structure for the achievement of gender equality and equity," he added.

The Queen of Tooro Kingdom, Best Kemigisha said cultural leaders in different kingdoms must change the face of Africa by creating a protective environment for girls.

Kemigisha who is the founder of COTLA stressed that all leaders must humbly accept that child marriage and FGM are linked to harmful cultural practices.

"Harmful cultural practices have no space in modern society. As a founder of the COTLA Chapter, I am proud to contribute to the bigger vision to end all harmful practices that advance GBV and child marriage," she added.

The Country Representative UN Women Uganda, Dr Maxime Houinato said the forum will identify all the bad cultures and preserve the good ones in different cultural institutions.

"We can analyze our cultures, keep what is good, and drop what is bad. Traditional leaders play an important role in changing norms, passing laws, and facilitating access to services for women and girls within communities," he noted.

Maxime stressed that on top of being bad practices, vices like rape, FGM, and child marriage have a big cost on the country.

According to statistics, Uganda spends sh77bn to fight GBV annually.

"The idea that good values come from outside of Uganda is a big mistake. There are values Africa has that the rest don't. The value for women and children has been here since. What is happening to us now?" he noted.

He stressed that COTLA must respond to questions on what we should be done to help the most vulnerable in "our community, women, and children".

The permanent secretary, Ministry of Gender, Aggrey Kibenge said the concerted efforts can improve equitable access to justice, especially for women and girls.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Rosa Malango, said Uganda still has stereotypes and practices that still hinder women and girls from realising their full potential.

"I am sure our cultural leaders can play a key role in ensuring that women and girls are protected to realize their dreams," he added.

Ministry of gender statistics shows that four in every ten pregnancies in Uganda are unintended.

Princess Racheal Ankunda from Toro said boys also need to be groomed into men like they groom girls.