Gender Based Violence: Young Girls Not Spared, Early Marriages On The Rise

Gender based violence continues to have a negative impact on children and families made of young people are likely to witness more violence. This is according to the statistics put together by the center for domestic violence prevention organization as it launched the 16 days of activism against gender based violence Statistics show that 35% of girls experience sexual violence (Uganda violence against children survey 2015) and early marriages with an average of 40% women married before age 18. In the same way the national teenage pregnancy rate is 24.8 percent aged 15-19 years According to the Media and National Advocacy officer at CEDOVIP, Mrs Diana Kagere Mugerwa sexual abuse and pregnancy are leading contributors to vulnerability accounting for more than half of all reasons for girls dropping out of school. “Did you know that 57% of children don’t complete primary seven and many married women got married before 18 years, this is how bad the problem is” She said. The executive Director CEDOVIP, Ms Tina Musuya blamed the figures on the failure to prosecute the perpetrators of violence with many cases not completed. Musuya said the way the cases are also handled leave a lot to be desired and many victims shy away leaving the culprits to walk scot-free. She also advised government to direct more resources towards preventing violence. Speaking at the launch of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence, state minister for gender and culture Peace Mutuuzo said government was committed to ending gender based violence. “Government has already requested for a 40 million US dollars loan from the World Bank to help deal with the problem in 20 districts of Uganda. We hope to achieve a lot using this money”. She said. The 16 days of activism against Gender based violence are running under the theme, “End gender based violence in the world of work” and this builds on the momentum and achievements of the 2017 campaign them of “together we can end GBV in Education”.