The State Minister for Gender and Culture, Hon. Peace Regis Mutuuzo, has called on Ugandans to abandon cultural and religious practices that perpetuate gender-based violence (GBV).
Her message comes ahead of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign designed to raise awareness and mobilize action to eliminate violence against women and girls.
The campaign runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day.
The campaign provides a platform for individuals, organizations, and governments to unite in preventing and eliminating GBV. Hon. Mutuuzo emphasized the need to confront harmful customs and traditions that violate women’s rights, stressing that such practices are both unacceptable and illegal.
She specifically highlighted harmful practices such as child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Globally, over 230 million girls and women have undergone FGM, a 15% increase in this harmful practice. FGM involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, causing severe physical and emotional harm.
Gender-Based Violence in Uganda
Data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2021) indicates that 95% of Ugandan women and girls have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. The Ministry of Gender reported that in the same year, GBV led to at least 168 deaths. Hon. Mutuuzo stressed the urgent need to challenge cultural and religious norms that sanction or perpetuate violence against women and girls.
The Role of Cultural and Religious Practices in GBV
Cultural and religious practices often contribute to GBV through the reinforcement of harmful beliefs and behaviors. These include:
1. Social and Cultural Norms
Patriarchal Societies: Practices that emphasize male dominance and female subordination fuel GBV.
Stereotyping and Stigma: Harmful stereotypes about women and girls lead to discrimination, marginalization, and violence.
Early and Forced Marriages: Customs that promote early and forced marriages increase the risk of domestic violence and sexual exploitation.
2. Religious Practices
Misinterpretation of Religious Texts: Selective interpretations are often used to justify GBV, including wife beating and FGM.
Restrictive Gender Roles: Reinforcing traditional gender roles can limit women’s autonomy and increase their vulnerability to violence.
Blaming the Victim: Some religious practices hold victims responsible for GBV rather than holding perpetrators accountable.
Harmful Traditional Practices
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): This involves partial or total removal of external female genitalia, resulting in severe physical and emotional damage.
Widow Inheritance: Widows are forced to marry male relatives of their deceased husbands, often causing emotional and psychological trauma.
Bride Price: The practice of paying a bride price can lead to domestic violence and marital rape, as women are perceived as property rather than equals.
Promoting Equality and Respect
Minister Mutuuzo underscored the importance of understanding the complex relationships between cultural, religious, and traditional practices to prevent GBV. By rejecting harmful customs, Uganda can build a culture of equality and respect for all.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence provides an opportunity for everyone to reflect and take action. Together, we can challenge harmful norms, protect vulnerable groups, and ensure a society where women and girls live free from violence.
Comments are closed.