I am a sexual and gender-based violence champion and a child rights activist based in Hoima District. These positions give me space to interact with communities, especially on health-related matters.
The outbreak of COVID-19 and resultant presidential directives have impacted on families. When the president announced the lockdown that allowed everyone to stay at home, we thought it was a joy for families to get together. Instead of this being a joy for families and enjoyment of bedroom matters, as most women thought husbands and partners work away from home, it has brought tears in the eyes of women and children.
‘’When you ask for salt from your husband these days, you are answered with a slap/blow,’’ Women in Hoima said.
As a sexual and gender-based violence champion, I have received voices of women complaining about their partners and husbands that them for petty issues.
The restrictions on public transport usage made it even worse for pregnant women. They P have suffered walking long distances to seek medical services; others have died along the way whereas some are beaten by soldiers and police just because of being carried on motorcycles.
Some families have broken up. This is a result of access to sexual reproductive health services. The lockdown and transport restrictions did not cater for people living with HIV. however, organizations came in handy to save people’s lives. It should be noted that to some partners, medication was being taken in hiding. The lockdown meant that partners get to know their status as they were together all the time. Accessing the services from home caused more harm than good.
Cases of defilement and early marriages are on a rise due to the search for food. Most homes in Hoima suffer from poverty and this pandemic worsened the situation. Children have been forced to stay with their abusers and some turned into early marriages. Children have fallen victims of child labour that is to say roaming with items for sale to look for something to eat as a family.
As a champion, I think Uganda needs to do better at various levels. I would recommend that:
- At various levels, right from the family, we use this opportunity to teach our children our cultural norms. Let us work hard and prepare for the future by digging and planting food to feed us after the lockdown.
- Women that have lost their jobs need to use their skills to earn a living for example weaving baskets, mats, and embroiling table cloths.
- Men must respect women and Stop the violence. Together we can achieve this. Let us respect the rights of women and children.
- The government must provide shelters where these women and children can go to seek protection from their abusers and be offered psycho-social support.
- The courts of law and police should support these women and children to find justice against their abusers
“As women let us not lose hope, but keep it alive, and let’s do our best because greatness lies in the hands of those who do what others cannot do.”
By Catherine Kobusinge Kamanyire
The writer is one of our Community Health Advocates in Hoima.