Cases of gender-based violence and domestic-related conflicts in Kayunga District have gradually declined this year compared to last year, a development district authorities attribute to intensified community sensitization campaigns.
According to the District Probation Officer, Collins Kafeero, routine outreach programs conducted at village and parish levels have played a major role in changing people's attitudes and encouraging early reporting of abuse cases.
"We have registered a reduction in gender-based violence cases this year compared to last year. This is largely due to continuous community sensitization, where people are being educated about their rights and the dangers of violence in homes," Kafeero said.
District records indicate that gender-based violence cases reduced from more than 7,000 cases reported last year to about 5,000 cases registered this year.
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Kafeero explained that the district, in partnership with local leaders and development organizations, has been conducting community dialogues, radio talk shows and door-to-door engagements aimed at empowering residents to prevent and report violence.
"Many victims are now coming out to report cases, while communities are also stepping in to stop violence before it escalates. This awareness is helping us a lot," he added.
He noted that men and youth have increasingly been targeted in the sensitization campaigns as part of efforts to address the root causes of domestic violence.
"We are involving men more in these discussions because they are key stakeholders in families. When they understand the impact of gender-based violence, it becomes easier to reduce such cases," Kafeero emphasized.
The district is also introducing a new engagement mechanism specifically targeting men to equip them with skills in conflict management and peaceful coexistence at household level.
"Our findings suggest that many husbands lack adequate knowledge on handling conflicts in homes. Since men are household heads in most families, sensitizing them first can help them manage their homes better," he noted.
Despite the progress, Kafeero said domestic violence remains a challenge, especially in hard-to-reach areas where cultural beliefs, alcoholism, economic stress and property ownership disputes continue to fuel conflicts.
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"Issues related to property ownership are among the leading causes of domestic violence. Some husbands still believe their wives have no legitimate right to property or decision-making in the family," he said.
He added that failure by some parents to provide basic necessities, coupled with alcohol abuse, often leads to quarrels, separations and displacement of children.
"Our efforts have not only reduced conflicts in homes, but also helped return children who had abandoned their homes because of misunderstandings between parents," Kafeero added.
The probation officer also expressed concern over the increasing cases of child labour in sugarcane-growing areas across the district. He said many children are abandoning school to work in plantations, fishing communities and urban centres where they collect used bottles for recycling to earn a living.
"All these activities trap school-going children into labour and eventually force them out of school," he warned.
District officials say they are working closely with the Uganda Police Force and other partners to scale up sensitization campaigns and strengthen support systems for survivors in order to sustain the progress made in reducing domestic violence cases.
