The former minister of ethics and integrity who also double as human rights activist Miria Matembe has urged all women in the country wake up and lead the fight against gender-based violence.
She made the remarks during an interview with Ug mirror.
“Wake up and use the mechanical ways of sorting out things because men are not helping. This government never gives us a solution. I call upon women to rise up and protect themselves,” Ms Matembe said on Monday.
She said failure to get definite solution from the authorities has left many victims suffering silently.
“They do not talk but they are suffering. So when we do not get a solution, some people fear and simply suffer silently,” she said.
Faridah Kibowa ,the chairperson National women’s council said :”For us we are saying that let us target the rooms because charity begins at home ,those people who misbehaved in the places of work are the same people who go back home and do the same, “
Rita Aciro, Executive Director UWONET highlighted the plight into gender-based violence in Uganda revealing that 56% of Ugandan women and girls have experienced physical assault, 28% have experienced sexual violence. Aciro also revealed that child marriage remains prevalent in several parts of Uganda standing at 52% in Karamoja, 40% in Busoga and 36% according to Uganda Bureau of statistics population census 2006.
She called upon Government to commit adequate resources to prevention and response to sexual gender-based violence
“We call on Government to fast track establishment of permanent Gender-Based Violence special courts to ensure epedient, efficient handling of GBV cases,”she said
She further emphasised the need to apply a gender lens and adopt a victim-centered approach in handling the cases.