AEGiS-NV: Break cycle of domestic violence this Christmas

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Break cycle of domestic violence this Christmas

New Vision - December 22, 2004

Let us break the cycle of domestic violence this festival season by making sure that every man, woman and child enjoys their right to a peaceful celebration. The emotional strain of the celebrations, combined with increased drinking and the lack of usual routine such as work, all contribute to a rise in violence.

In an already abusive relationship, violence in the home may reach a peak during festival times and the world over, acts domestic violence increase during such seasons.

For the last few years, during Christmas and end of year festivities, the Ugandan press has been awash with stories of domestic violence including extreme cases of women being battered to death. And yet this is only a tip of the iceberg as many cases of domestic violence go unreported because the culprits fear the likely repercussions in a society where domestic violence is considered a 'private issue'.

With the political will, Uganda as a nation has successfully fought HIV/AIDS and can use the same commitment to end domestic violence. There is an urgent need to form a national strategy to address domestic violence, which will in the long run, include strengthening the law to directly handle domestic violence.

The Law Reform Commission should therefore expedite the formation of the Domestic Violence Bill, which they have for some years been working on.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officers should be sensitised to handle domestic violence as a criminal offence and not dismiss it as a 'private family issue'. We all must collaborate in fighting domestic violence by creating community policing in which we all hold each other accountable.

To achieve this, communities must be sensitised about the evils of domestic violence as a life threatening and dehumanising ill that must urgently be addressed. For this festival season let us be each other's keeper and rid our homes of violence.

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