User:Vsrddy92/Domestic Violence in Uganda

Violence Against Women
The United Nations has defined violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm to women." Domestic violence, similar to intimate partner violence (IPV) and sex and gender based violence (SGBV), falls under the umbrella term "violence against women" (VAW). Each of these acts has been deemed a human rights violation and detrimental to public health. These issues are rooted in gender inequalities. Such acts of violence can consist of sexual coercion (including rape), physical beatings, verbal and emotional abuse, and emotional manipulation.

Statistics
Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest reported rates of IPV according to a World Health Organization Report in 2013. In Uganda, the prevalence of violence against women and, more specifically, domestic violence, is significant. According to the UN Women Global Database on VAW, 50% of women aged 15-49 have or will experience IPV or SGBV at least once in their lifetime. In 2018, 30% of women aged 15-49 had experienced IPV or SGBV in the last 12 months. In 2011, the Demographic and Health Survey recorded that nearly one out of three women in rural Uganda had been physically violated (punched, kicked, dragged, burnt, strangled, or threatened with weapons). These numbers place Uganda in the top percentile of countries with instances of VAW.

Implications
The consequences of IPV, SGBV, and VAW, in general, are numerous. Women who have experienced acts of violence are subject to being ostracized by society. Women's political power is severely restricted due to strict customary and statutory laws (this is the case across Sub-Saharan Africa). Women who are victims of assault are often considered unworthy of either getting married or remaining in their marriages. Children born of rape and their mothers may be rejected by their families and society at-large. Refugee women are especially at risk of violence in Uganda. Uganda shares a border with South Sudan; due to the conflict in South Sudan, many individuals have had to flee to Uganda. Uganda has the highest refugee population in Africa; 1.45 million refugees make up 3% of Uganda's entire population. Uganda's immigration and refugee policies are considered to be fairly open compared to other countries both in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as the West and the government has taken steps to allowing for greater freedoms and mobilization for refugees. However, due to insufficient resources (both economically and in infrastructure), female refugees are unable to effectively assimilate into Ugandan society. In a study of South Sudanese female refugees, 100% ages 18 and older reported having experienced SGBV at least once.

Impact of COVID-19
Due to the novel COVID-19, women in Uganda were confined to their homes where they were more exposed to violence perpetuated against them by their partners with no social networks to rely on. 46% of Ugandan women reported that they had experienced physical violence as a result of the country-wide lockdown. In addition, the lockdown prevented women from leaving their homes to go to their jobs, run their business, attend social gatherings, etc. and as a result, were forced to spend more time in their homes with their abusers.

Changing policy and perception
There have been steps made towards improving conditions for women in Uganda. First, the Succession (Amendment) Bill was updated to allow women to own land and property as well as keep claims to their inheritances. This allows women to become more financially dependent and able to leave abusive partners and households. Second, the Employment (Amendment) Bill was passed which required employers to implement workplaces policies against abuse, harassment, and violence. This legislation also protects unpaid domestic workers and refugees searching for employment from being exploited. It is also necessary for public perception and tolerance of VAW to change. Violence against women in Uganda often occurs as a means to reenforcing gender norms and expectations. For example, women who fail to properly execute household tasks are often subject to abuse from their partners and other male family members. In response, women are advised to remain nonconfrontational about the way they are being treated. Thus, societal perceptions of gender norms must be fundamentally transformed in order for violence against women to cease.