COVID-19 AND THE RISING LEVELS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN UGANDA - COVID-19- A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRIGGER IN UGANDA - Policy Brief 005 September 2020 ...
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COVID-19 AND THE RISING LEVELS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN UGANDA
Policy Brief 005
By
Luttamaguzi JohnBosco &
Nannozi Susanie Ggoobi
September 2020
COVID-19- A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRIGGER IN UGANDA
www.gatewayresearchcentre.org, September 2020 Page 1
violence (GBV). This surge in develop databases and give
Globally, domestic
violence is a very domestic violence also has a updates about the different
big challenge direct impact on women abuses faced by families, the
among the married
victims as noted by the United government through the
partners more so in
developing Nations Committee on Ministry of Labor and Gender
countries Uganda Economic, Social and and Social Development
inclusive. It became Cultural Rights (ESCR) the gazetting centers where the
a very challenging
turmoil during the pandemic deepened gender victims are collected for
period of Covid-19 inequalities because “the counseling services as a way
lockdown burden of caring for children of rehabilitating the victims
at home and sick or elderly from the trauma, the Ministry
family members falls of Gender putting in place
disproportionately on convenient and prompt-
women”. The brief presents response toll free lines to be
the emerging evidence from used by the victims in case of
secondary data about Covid- any violence in homes.
19 pandemic aiming at Initiation of a fully domestic
Executive Statement benefitting all stake holders to violence legal section to
the fight against domestic permit easy access to justice,
Domestic violence which may
violence and ensure safety of provision of economic
also be referred to as domestic
families in long term recovery support to the victims to
abuse or family violence is a
plans. Some of the promote their economic
very disastrous habit in
recommendations include but independence and other
families. Globally, domestic
not limited to: government policy recommendations as
violence is a very big
allocating sufficient human stipulated in this brief.
challenge among the married
and financial resources, the
partners more so in Introduction and
government undertaking
developing countries Uganda Background
strong social awareness
inclusive. It became a very
campaigns on the criminal
challenging turmoil during Countries across the globe
nature of domestics violence
the period of Covid-19 have made various efforts to
and services available to
lockdown. Global lockdowns suppress transmission of
victims, a need for the state to
have resulted in a horrifying COVID-19 and to mitigate its
engage research organizations
surge in gender-based socio-economic impacts. This
and think tanks to periodically
www.gatewayresearchcentre.org, September 2020 Page 2
enjoyment of human rights determine in light of large
It is very much
including economic, social numbers of cases that go
unfortunate and
dismaying that domestic and cultural rights. unreported as well as the
violence cases are too Lockdowns have been one of limited resources often in
often underestimated
the globally supported places for gathering this type
and go unpunished
which enables the abuse measures to prevent the of evidence in emergency
to continue and to spread of COVID-19 and context.
damage undermining mitigate its impact on public
the psycho-physical Globally, the victims of
health of the victim and health. What this means for
domestic violence are
the home environment many women and girls,
overwhelmingly women and
however, is that they are
they tend to experience more
trapped at home with abusive
severe forms of violence.
spouses, partners and family
Domestic violence is among
members with limited access
the most underreported
to support services, if any.
crimes worldwide for both
During times of crisis, men and women (NIJ,2009).
families normally face Due to social stigmas
increased risk of exposure to regarding male victimization,
domestic violence (Stark, L men who are victims of
and Landis D, 2016). domestic violence face an
Although violence is known increased likelihood of being
unprecedented crisis unfolds
to be pervasive in all settings, overlooked by healthcare
in the context of many pre-
emergencies can disrupt providers, social workers and
existing challenges, one of
existing protective structures leaders.
which is the domestic
violence rooted from and create multiple
It is very much unfortunate
gendered dimensions of circumstances that can lead to
and dismaying that domestic
access to basic necessities in a various forms of violence,
violence cases are too often
world rife with gender abuses and exploitation in
underestimated and go
inequality. These challenges homes. Inspite of the global
unpunished which enables the
are now exacerbated by the awareness of the need to
abuse to continue and to
pandemic and have a address domestic violence in
damage undermining the
disproportionate impact on crisis affected settings, it’s
psycho-physical health of the
women’s and children’s prevalence seems difficult to
victim and the home
www.gatewayresearchcentre.org, September 2020 Page 3environment (UNICEF, homes due to the Covid-19 IPV followed by Kasese with
2015). Today, the forced pandemic has created a 58%.
isolation of families in their dangerous situation and
triggered domestic conflicts The Covid-19 pandemic has
and episodes of abuse within been the fastest moving global
The forced isolation of
families in their homes the family which risk going public health crisis in the 21st
due to the Covid-19 Century causing significant
unpunished, given the
pandemic has created a mortality and morbidity and
dangerous situation increased opportunities for an
and triggered domestic abuser with his captive giving rise to health and social
conflicts and episodes cohabitants and reduced economic challenges to
of abuse within the families which are the
family which risk going contact outside the home.
Uganda as a nation has been primary triggers of domestic
unpunished
hit by increased numbers of violence (UNFPA, 2020).
domestic violence the primary Governments have
victims being women and relentlessly adopted almost
children. However, some universally similar measures
districts were affected badly to limit the spread of the virus,
compared to others for while health and social
example Wakiso had the systems are struggling to cope
highest number of child abuse with rising caseloads, supply
(Ministry of Gender,2020). It chain bottlenecks, movements
indicated that out of 1967 restrictions and economic
cases reported between setbacks
The Covid-19 January and April 2020, 934
pandemic has been the The findings from a study
fastest moving global were in Wakiso followed by
public health crisis in Kampala with 578 cases. conducted by UN in 49
the 21st Century While Wakiso makes a record countries Uganda inclusive in
causing significant 5 regions, there is an increase
in child abuse as a section of
mortality and
domestic violence, Kitgum of vulnerability and risk
morbidity and giving
rise to health and social and Kasese recorded the factors of violence for women
economic challenges to and girls during the Covid-19
highest number of Intimate
families which are the
Partner Violence (IPV) pandemic (UN Women,
primary triggers of
domestic violence (UBOS 2020). UBOS 2020). However, the
reported Kitgum with 60% of pandemic has made it hard for
www.gatewayresearchcentre.org, September 2020 Page 4them to seek help yet continuing their work and suffered destruction of their
government and non- earning their living though the self-worth especially among
government organizations impact has skewed to men men the primary bread
have limited resources and greatly. For women winners in homes. This has
capacity to meet the needs of experiencing domestic led to persistent insults,
all survivors. violence, increased inability humiliation and criticism.
to maintain a level of financial Emotional abuse can be a
By the end of June 2020,
independence exposes them difficult form of violence to
Uganda had registered over
to extreme abuses including notice since it is common in
21,260 cases of child neglect,
physical, emotional and unhealthy relationships but
sexual and physical abuse
economic. The Covid-19 the general public cannot
(Ejang, 2020). Due to the
lockdown has subjected men, easily identify victims unless
isolation regulations being
women and children to they speak out.
enforced, women are forced to
various forms of domestic
stay in homes with abusive Sexual abuse. This includes
violence that the policy
partners and are at risk of not only sexual assaults and
intends to address (AFHR,
being severely harmed or rape, but also harassment such
2013). These include;
even murdered though even as unwelcome touches and
men have been brutalized by Physical abuse. This has been other demeaning behaviors.
women during the Covid tremendously reported by Many victims don't realize
recess. almost all media platforms how broadly sexual abuse is
during the Covid-19 interpreted. For example, if
Common Forms of
Domestic Violence
lockdown. It involves the use you have ever been coerced
During the Covid-19 of force against the victim, into not using contraception
period
causing injury (a punch or a (the pill, a condom, an Intra
kick, stabbing, shooting, Uterine Device, etc.) or
choking, slapping, forced use having an abortion a habit that
While most reports seem to of drugs, etc.). Almost every has been so common during
indicate physical assaults day a case could be reported the lock down, then you may
towards both men and of a man being buttered by the have actually been sexually
women, a few cases of men wife or the reverse; or even abused. This form of abuse is
being abused have been children beating their parents. known as reproductive
reported. Lockdown measures coercion.
have severely limited both Emotional abuse. Since the
men and women from lock down, most families have
www.gatewayresearchcentre.org, September 2020 Page 5Financial abuse. That is for food, clothing, and other The widespread job loss,
denial of access to finance. It basic needs. If children are economic strain, disruption of
may take many forms such as involved, this can overlap normal routines and on-going
a husband preventing his wife with neglect. stress associated with actual
from obtaining education or a or potential illness that have
What has
job outside the home. resulted in affected regions
worsened domestic
Financial abuse is extremely across the world combined
Violence during
common, particularly when with movement restrictions
Covid-19 recess?
families have pooled their during the lockdown, homes
money into joint accounts within the context of Covid-
Due to the physical distancing
(with the husband being the 19 have become potential
and movement restrictions
principal signatory) and pressure cookers of domestic
that have been put in place
where there's little or no violence as the drive of
across the world to curb the
family support system to help. violence increase.
pandemic, women and
Many families in the working
children have faced increased Key Policy
class have been victims of
risks of experiencing violence
this. It is another form of Recommendations
at the hands of other family
control, even though usually
members. In most emergency
less obvious than physical or
affected settings the majority
sexual abuse and widely
of cases of domestic violence
manifested itself during the
are perpetrated by men. The Domestic violence during the
Covid-19 lockdown period.
risks of experiencing Covid-19 period and other
Often, the victim is
household violence during unprecedented pandemics can
completely dependent on their
times of crisis are often be curbed down by embracing
partner for money. With no
engineered by factors such as the following
access to money except
emotional stress, economic recommendations;
through the abusive partner,
stress and shifting roles and
this has been a very big outcry
responsibilities among family The government
by a number of women during should allocate
members (Rubenstein et al,
the lock down period. sufficient human and
2017) which have been on the
Women as victims are always financial resources
rise during the Covid-19
completely at the abusive necessary to put in
period.
partner's mercy. The abusive place a national
partner may withhold money action plan to combat
www.gatewayresearchcentre.org, September 2020 Page 6domestic violence in housing services victims in case of any
the context of Covid- including shelters to violence in homes
19 and post Covid-19 give relief to the and must make sure
and in case of any victims. that these lines are
other pandemics. A need to engage available all the time.
Thus, domestic research A body of free
violence should be organizations and pleaders should be in
given maximum think tanks to collect place to handle cases
attention with a full data and give updates of victims of
legal section to fight about the different domestic violence
it. abuses faced by especially those from
A need to increase families. Research poor families so as to
efforts to raise firms and think tanks enable them access
massive social will ably and justice and fair
awareness of the effectively hearing.
criminal nature of investigate all cases There should be a
domestic violence of domestic violence reserve fund to assist
and services available and strictly try the women who are
to victims. This perpetrators in courts victims of domestic
should be done in of law. violence to start up
form of seminars, The government their own small
workshops and through the Ministry businesses for self-
massive sensitization of Gender and Labor reliance.
over both traditional should gazette centres There should be
and social media where the victims specialized health
platforms such as converge for care wings on all
radios, televisions, counseling services government health
facebook, YouTube as a way of facilities to cater for
and other media rehabilitating them pregnant mothers
platforms. Similarly, from the trauma. who are abandoned
the state could go The Ministry of by their husbands.
ahead to provide Gender needs to put Donors and
physical and mental in place toll free lines humanitarian
health care services, to be used by the agencies should
www.gatewayresearchcentre.org, September 2020 Page 7allocate direct leaders to address is needed. Whether it
funding to Non- domestic violence. is Covid-19 or any
Government All local leaders other unprecedented
Organizations especially at village pandemic or
(NGOs) and Civil level and probation emergency, there is
Society officers should be need for all
Organizations trained in guidance stakeholders to be
(CSOs) whose and counselling so as sensitive to all forms
services are geared to be able to of domestic violence.
towards curbing disseminate the Both men and women
domestic violence. A needed guidance to are duty bound to
follow up monitoring the victims of avoid it since it can
and evaluation domestic violence lead to family
exercise should be before their situations breakages and
done to promote worsen. continued suffering
accountability and of innocent family
Conclusion
transparency in members.
domestic violence It should be Every family can be
funds management. emphatically put that free from domestic
The Ministry of domestic violence is a violence and this is
Ethics and Integrity reality. However, what can promote
should roll out with the emergence of family growth and
compulsory monthly Covid-19 lockdown ultimately the
counseling sessions at with all its attached country’s growth.
all places of worship. restrictions, domestic AUTHORS
These should be violence was
Luttamaguzi JohnBosco is a
funded by the exacerbated and
Social Worker and Gender
government in a bid maximum Specialist
to support religious government attention
Nannozi Susanie Ggoobi is
the Executive Director &
Gender Specialist Gateway
Research Centre
www.gatewayresearchcentre.org, September 2020 Page 8References
1) Artists For Human Rights (2013) Forms of Domestic Violence: https://www.stopvaw.org
2) Ejang H.M (2020) Protecting children from a distance: An ongoing experience in virtual child
protection during COVID-19, UNICEF
3) Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (2020) Wakiso District tops in violence cases
against children.
4) National Institute of Justice (2009) Behind Closed Doors of domestic violence, US Department of
Justice, Office of Justice Programme
5) Rubenstein B, Beth L. Lily Zhi Ning Lu, Matthew M, Lindsay S (2017) Predicators of interpersonal
violence in households in humanitarian settings. A systematic review, trauma, violence and abuse.
6) Stark L, Landis D (2016) Violence against children in humanitarian settings: A literature review of
population-based approaches: Journal of Social Science & Medicine Vol 152 Retrieved from
http://www.cpcnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Violence-Against-Children-Lit-Review-
_-Stark_Landis.pdf
7) Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2020) Kitgum targets clean record in violence against women and
children . https://www.unicef.org/uganda
8) UN Women (2020) Women peace mediators become key actors on the front lines of COVID-19
prevention in refugee settlements in Uganda
https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/6/feature-women-mediators-during-covid-19-in-
refugee-settlements
9) United Nations Children’s Education Fund (2015) The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children
10) United Nations Population Fund (2020) Covid-19 Impact Brief
www.gatewayresearchcentre.org, September 2020 Page 9You can also read
