The rate at which young girls and women’s rights are being violated in Kasese District western Uganda is worrying due to the pain inflicting pain on the victims.
Cases of defilement, early marriages, Gender Based Violence, kidnap and disappearance are reportedly on the increase during the Covid 19 pandemic, a situation that has never been experienced.
Josephine Kabugho a resident of Bwera town said, “My daughter Masika Maikoline who has been attending in my small shop went missing since Wednesday last week. She was in senior three at St. Charles Secondary School”.
She said, “I’m here confused about the whereabouts of my daughter. But I’m optimistic she could have disappeared because of Covid-19 lockdown that has left many school children desperate”.
James Bwambale, the father to the missing daughter said as a family they are worried. We have searched for the girl in vain and an effect to have her back hangs in balance.
He said a case of disappearance and missing person has been reported to police under SD REF 21/11/17/2020.
Joselyne Karungi the Advocacy officer PLATFORM for the NEEDY (PLANE) said that Covid-19 pandemic has been highlighted among the key factors contributing to Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases.
She said, “Many cases of Violence Against Girls and Women have been reported during this covid 19 pandemic. Since March 2020 TO July 2020, three hundred ninety two (392) cases in general have been recorded where by ninety (90) are physical violence cases, sixty two(62) emotion violence cases and one hundred thirteen (113) economic violence as well as one hundred twenty seven (127) sexual violence cases in Kasese only. We see there are more cases that go unreported”.
In an effort to prevent and reduce on the cases of against girls and women , we have have introduced the Girls Matter Mentorship Program and Family Clinic Conferences to create more awareness of the impact of this vice.
The Rwenzori East Regional Police Commander SP Asiimwe Samuel Observed that according to their statistics, domestic violence cases were reportedly on the rise during Covid 19 lockdown because many people were not used to staying together for long and the demands increased while there were no jobs.
Couples were advised to stay in harmony amidst the challenging situations because no situation/condition is permanent.