Kampala — THE Ugandan Women Parliamentary Association and women activists from Northern Uganda yesterday petitioned the Speaker of Parliament to intensify the fight against gender-based violence.

Mary Atim, who led the delegation of 400 women activists from Acholi region, said many rape victims do not get justice due to corruption in the courts and at the Police.

The petition was handed over to Speaker Edward Ssekandi to mark the 10th anniversary of the UN international day on domestic violence against women and girls.

Atim also disclosed that there were many cases where the widows in Acholi have been forced off the family land after the death of their husband. The eviction is carried out by in-laws under the protection of the Police, she added.

Ssekandi noted that violence against women is high, affecting about 60% of women and girls. He stressed that violence against women is a grave abuse of the rights of women.

Ssekandi elaborated that increased violence against women hinders efforts to realise women's social, economic and political empowerment in the country.

"It is clear that violence against women is a grave abuse of their rights. This is a continued gender inequality that Parliament is committed to address," Ssekandi assured the petitioners.

He urged institutions like the Police, the judiciary, health and social welfare institutions to implement the existing laws to put an end to the vice.

Ssekandi appealed to communities, families and individuals to cooperate with Parliament to stop impunity for perpetrators of domestic violence.

"We need to adopt an attitude of zero tolerance, supporting survivors and holding perpetrators accountable," Ssekandi stated.

At the end of the function, Ssekandi and other women activists from Uganda Women's Network, Care Uganda and UNIFEM blew out a candle, lit a few years ago calling for the enactment of a law to end domestic violence.

They again re-lit the same candle, a gesture to remind Parliament of the need to urgently enact the Marriage and Divorce Bill.