Jeff Lule
8 November 2009
Kampala — THE Catholic Church and the Irish government have launched a partnership to fight domestic violence in the country.
While launching the campaign at Nankulabye parish in Kampala on Thursday, the Archbishop of Kampala Diocese, Cyprian Lwanga, said cases of violence were rising every day.
"This is a challenge to all of us and I am delighted to launch this partnership to tackle and create response to this issue," Lwanga said. He said according to a 2006 study, 60% of Ugandan women had experienced physical violence, including sexual violence.
He noted that half of the women experienced it from their husbands or intimate partners and most said it happened within their homes. Lwanga said when domestic violence shatters the family, it shatters the church, the state and society.
He said with 42% of Ugandans belonging to the Catholic Church, the level of moral authority and respect among the community is evident. "The existence of domestic violence distorts the image of God in a person and we need to fight it," he said.
The Ambassador of Ireland, Kevin Kelly, promised to support the initiative, saying domestic violence was limiting development in homes. "We should promote, protect and respect human rights if we are to develop our communities," he said.
Kelly noted that the current economic downturn and the increasing poverty had triggered an increase in the violence. He said the Police and media had also continuously reported cases of the violence against women, thus calling for urgent attention from concerned authorities.
"It is rare to read a newspaper and not find a story on domestic violence," Kelly said.
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