Uganda Women’s Parliament Association in conjunction with NAWOU – the National Association of Women’s Organizations in Uganda has intensified pressure on the government to commit funding to Gender Based Violence GBV shelters and rescue centers across the country.
During a stakeholder’s meeting in Kampala to influence gender equality and solution to gender-based violence in Kampala, the two gender associations renewed calls to the government to start funding GBV shelters and homes rather than leaving it to civil society organizations.
The shelters provide temporary accommodation as referral linkages to ensure victims and survivors of gender-based violence cope with the after-effects of violence through life skills and capacity-building programs and act as first aid centers to counsel the victims.
According to the programs officer, of the National Association of Women’s Organizations in Uganda, Pauline Nabwire the 20 shelters countrywide are managed by CSOs, without funding from the Government.
NAWOU is now engaging UWOPA to push for funding from the government to maintain these shelters as safe spaces for these girls and women who have survived GBV but lack the resources to live on their own Nabwire said.
According to a rapid assessment of Gender Based Violence carried out by Nawou in June last year, in two districts of Kaabong and Nebbi, it was found that the rate of GBV in Nebbi district is at 83% while Kabong is at 87%.
Meanwhile Brenda Nabukenya (Luwero Woman MP) also Vice Chairperson of Uganda Women’s Parliament Association faulted the police for covering up gender-based violence cases in the favor of the rich perpetrators.
She says culprits for gender-based violence should be arrested, and prosecuted instead of letting them scot-free. Nabukenya attributes some of the causes of GBV in the country to the high levels of poverty in families, lack of education, and drug abuse.
Idi Mubarak Mayanja, the Principal Women Officer at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development says currently, through Public-Private partnerships, the country has established GBV shelters in different parts of the country on local Gov’t lands.
