Uganda to join Africa in a campaign to end Gender Based Violence
While revealing this, Mutuuzo stated that by 2022, 24% of the girls aged 15 to 19 were mothers or pregnant with their first child, something that hinders their education.
Minister of state for Gender and culture affairs Peace Mutuuzo has confirmed that Uganda will be joining an Africa wide campaign named Africa Educated Her, aimed at ensuring that every girl has access to quality education.
While revealing this, Mutuuzo stated that by 2022, 24% of the girls aged 15 to 19 were mothers or pregnant with their first child, something that hinders their education.
The minister was speaking a head of the 16 days of activism campaign against Gender based violence, due to take place from 25th November to 10th December 2023 in Kiryandongo District.
“Government of Uganda under the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, joined the Global Campaign in 2008, and has since utilized the Campaign annually, as an advocacy and mobilization strategy for raising public awareness on Gender Based Violence and its implications to national development, influencing behavioral change, and securing high-level political and social commitments to end impunity,” she noted.
She further informed the public about the government’s efforts to end gender-based violence against women and girls in Uganda.
According to the minister, there has been increased access to quality services by survivors/victims of GBV through the current 23 GBV Shelters with well-coordinated and integrated services.
“So far about 46,481 survivors have sought support in the 23 GBV shelters, and of which 40,714 are female and 5,766 were males and 443 were persons with disabilities,”
Uganda’s engagement in the global campaign to stop Gender based violence has helped in increasing public awareness as a human right, public health, economic and social Issue at the family, community and national level, thus helping over 40,714 women report cases of Gender Based violence.
The Minister urged the public to become an ally in preventing violence against women and girls, by reporting such cases and advocating for measures that ensure women’s safety.
GBV is wide spread in Uganda and it affects all people irrespective of their social, economic and political status.
According to statistics, In Uganda about half of the women face economic violence which represents 47% where two in every 10 women representing 23% are forced to give their earnings to their partners.
