One of the ways to curb the spread of COVID-19 that was declared by the Ministry of Health and President of Uganda in March was total quarantine (where people are supposed to stay indoors and no going to work or doing any normal activity that requires one to be outside their home compaund). This control measure has worked so well as far as the curbing the spread of Corona Virus is concerned but unfortunately I can not say the same for gender based domestic violence. Quarantine has not only increased GBV related risks but also limited the victims ability to distance themselves from the abusers since they are quarantining together. The victims also stay silent since they can not go to repport the abusers since there are no means of transportation to police. I am here to tell you today, don’t die in silence. I will put numbers at the end of this blog which you can call if you are a victim or know anyone who is going through domestic violence. They will come to you and if you can access the police station go there and report any form of abuse.
WHAT IS GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
Gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality, and continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies. Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of their gender. Both women and men experience gender-based violence but the majority of victims are women and girls.
Gender-based violence and violence against women are terms that are often used interchangeably as it has been widely acknowledged that most gender-based violence is inflicted on women and girls, by men. However, using the ‘gender-based’ aspect is important as it highlights the fact that many forms of violence against women are rooted in power inequalities between women and men.
FORMS OF GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
Gender-based violence is enacted under many different manifestations, from its most widespread form, intimate partner violence, to acts of violence carried out in online spaces. These different forms are not mutually exclusive and multiple incidences of violence can be happening at once and reinforcing each other. Inequalities experienced by a person related to their race, disability, age, social class, religion, sexuality can also drive acts of violence. This means that while women face violence and discrimination based on gender, some women experience multiple and interlocking forms of violence majorly as follows;
Physical violence: Any act which causes physical harm as a result of unlawful physical force. Physical violence can take the form of, among others, serious and minor assault, deprivation of liberty and manslaughter. This is the most common known form especially here in Uganda, for example wife beating where some men beat their wives and reach to the point of being sared for life. Dont allow to reach point, report abussive husbands before things get out of hand. NB: Beating doesnt mean showing love
Sexual violence: Any sexual act performed on an individual without their consent. Sexual violence can take the form of rape or sexual assault. Even if you are a married couple if you are in your periods or just given birth, you are excused from having sex. No man should force you in those conditions. That is an abuse.
Psychological violence: Any act which causes psychological harm to an individual. Pyschological violence can take the form of, for example, coercion, defamation, verbal insult or harassment.
Economic violence: Any act or behavior which causes economic harm to an individual. Economic violence can take the form of, for example, property damage, restricting access to financial resources, education or the labour market, or not complying with economic responsibilities, such as alimony.
It is also important to recognise that gender-based violence may be normalised and reproduced due to structural inequalities, such as societal norms, attitudes and stereotypes around gender generally and violence against women specifically.
So if you are reading this and you are facing any form mentioned above or you know anyone that is facing gender-based violence at home or any where please report the case to the police or talk to them to get out and help them to report. Many people have died as a result of GBV and this is an awareness blog to help you save a life. whether it is you or any person you know or a stranger who is facing this situation. I care so much about women and girls who I believe in your help in this quarantine.
Here are the numbers tocall to repport any form of GBV for Uganda;
- FIDA Uganda , 0800111511
- Reach A Hand 0800313131
- SYRADO Uganda 0773634682
- Kampala 04114698395
- Luwero 0759957090
- Gulu 0770506216
Dont resitate to inbox me if you have any trouble reporting the abuser or afraid of anything. I am here to where whenever and wherever I can. STAY SAFE.
