Gender ministry seeks additional UGX16Bn to support GBV victims

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development is seeking additional 16 Billion Shillings to support the victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

According to the State Minister for Gender and Culture Peace Mutuuzo, the country is registering a high prevalence of Gender-Based Violence but the budget to support the victims is inadequate. She explains that they annually spend over 77 Billion Shillings to treat, shelter, provide economic empowerment, and also offer psychosocial support to the GBV victims.

Mutuuzo says that they are now looking for an additional 16 billion Shillings from the government to support the GBV victims.

As Uganda prepares to join the rest of the world to launch the beginning of the 16 days of activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence, Mutuuzo indicates that they want to ensure that they reduce the escalating cases of GBV across the country through joining efforts with other partners including civil society, religious entities, developments partners among others.

According to Mutuuzo, the government is also considering the strengthening of some laws and policies to curb the high cases of GBV.

According to the police crime report 2020, Gender-Based Violence topped the list of crimes committed in the country which was attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

On the increasing Female Genital Mutilation (FMG), Mutuuzo says the lockdown has fueled the practice in the regions of Sebei and Karamoja.

Uganda will be joining the rest of the world to launch the beginning of the 16 days of activism campaign against gender-based violence that will start on November 26 to December 10.

The State Minister for Youth and Children affairs Sarah Mateke, says beginning this year, the Sauti toll-free line which reports cases of child abuse will start offering support to the gender-based violence victims to have their voices heard.

Mateke explains that with the significance of the helpline, it was deemed important to also include the GBV victims to benefit from the toll-free line.

Strinic Dragana, the Country Director of Save the Children says with support from the European Union, they plan a one-month promotion of the Sauti 116 toll-free helpline in the districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Busia, Bugiri, Gulu, and Obongi.

Dragana says that the one-month campaign will help to create awareness among the public on the benefits of the helpline.

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