She called on Government to show its commitment to the protection of women and children by enacting the necessary legislations that effectively eliminate all forms of violence against women; laws that emphasis the prevention of violence and the prosecution of offenders; and laws that take appropriate measures to ensure the protection of women subjected to violence, access to just and effective remedies, including compensation and indemnification and healing of victims, and rehabilitation of perpetrators.
Kawamara Mishambi also pressed it upon Government to enact the Domestic Relations Bill, the sexual Offences Bill and the Domestic Violence Bill and also enact and enforce legislations against the perpetrators of practices and acts of violence against women, such as female genital mutilation, female infanticide and dowry related violence. She went on to say that as a matter of priority, Government should review and reform the criminal laws and procedures applicable to cases of sexual offences, to eliminate gender bias and ensure justice and fairness to both the victim and accused and also seriously address poverty eradication and enhance women’s economic empowerment, since poverty exacerbates the vulnerability of women.
Violence against women not recognized in the Courts of law
The Government supposed to protect women is supporting violence against them said the Acting Coordinator, UWONET Manisurah Aheebwa. She said violence against women is an impediment to the enjoyment of other rights and also accused the Minister of Ethics Nsaba Butuuro, for making statements that insight violence against women. The Minister had earlier said that Women are the leading cause of Road accidents in Kampala.
Ms. Aheebwa insists that the Minister’s statement has contributed to men violating the dignity of women on the street by undressing them in taxi parks and at the road sides on the basis of indecent dressing. She also said that for 47 years, Domestic Relations Bill has not been passed because men see it as a hindrance to their authority. She said that a number of cases have been thrown out of court calling them domestic disputes with no legislations to support them.
She also said that many women have failed to attain justice after violence due to the long process of having the Police Surgeons testify before the Courts of law. Violence especially sexual violence in terms of rape can only be confirmed by a Police Surgeon of which to be examined, one must pay for this.
Public to fight violence against women
Civil society is working at addressing attitudinal change of society, but particularly men’s attitude towards women’s empowerment and their status in society.
Collective advocate for the promotion of the eradication of all elements of traditional norms and religious beliefs, practices and stereotypes that legitimize and exacerbate the persistence and tolerance of violence against women and children is one of the strategies that has been adopted.
Civil society call for the introduction and also support continuous gender sensitization and public awareness programmes aimed at eradicating all forms of violence against women; encourage the media to continue playing a constructive role in the eradication of violence against women and children by adopting within their media houses and professional associations guidelines which ensure sensitive coverage of the issue and avoid the perpetuation of stereotypes.
