Ankole Women unite to curb Domestic Violence

Amos Tayebwa

Mbarara

A group of women from 13 districts of the Ankole sub-region have mobilized themselves and formed an association that is meant to fight against domestic violence from families.

About 500 women have so far subscribed to this Association termed AWDA (Ankole Women in Development Association). The objective of this association in mainly to end domestic violence in families. This was established by a few elite women from Mbarara who initiated the idea and formed this Association.

A few weeks ago, the Leadership of this Association mobilized resources and gathered hundreds of women from the Ankole region and launched this association at Adit Mall where they shared various ideas on how they can unite and end domestic violence in this country.

Doreen Natamba, the Chairperson of AWDA and a  former Councilor of Mbarara Municipal Council has revealed that there is still an increase in domestic violence cases in this country. That there is a need for efforts from the government, Human Rights Activists, and such established associations to strongly fight against domestic violence.

Natamba said that the aim of forming this association is to also fight for the rights of women and women including g their children as well. She added that most of the men in some deep areas have silently been harassed by the women. Most of them have been beaten by their wives but since there is limited justice for the rights of men they opt to keep silent, she, therefore, cautioned women to stop the vice of torturing their husbands.

 “I want to call up on all the women in Uganda to respect their men, its true government has given us some peace but we must use this peace not by harassing our men, in this generation women have resorted at beating the men, i discourage this habit because our men deserve respect. Please stop beating your men, for us we are here to fight for gender balance and the rights of all”

She also said that most of the innocent children from poor families have suffered and were tortured by their parents out of Domestic violence. That some of them escaped from their original homes and opt to go on street to look for survival.

According to Natamba under their association, they are planning to construct a multi-billion shelter that is meant to accommodate those women who always meet challenges from their homes due to domestic violence. That the purpose of this shelter is to work as a counseling hub mainly for the victimized mothers which will be for three days when are brought into this shelter. Natamba revealed that they are seeking UGx13B for the construction of this shelter. That it will comprise other projects like a technical school and other projects that benefit women.

The subscription for this association is UGx100,000= as an annual subscription and 20,000= as a membership fee. She has appealed to the Government to support them because they are almost doing the roles of government as they intend to help the communities.