Police’ have incorporated the male population in a sensitization campaign on Gender-Based Violence -GBV.
Police under the Department of Child and Family Protection has spread out its campaign in 5 districts through community engagement dialogues.
These include; Arua, Kitgum, Kasese, Kyegegwa, and Bundibugyo.
According to SSP Atuhaire Maureen, the Acting Commissioner Child and Family Protection Department, these dialogues are to give consciousness to men and boys to rethink how they treat the female gender.
She says that these have been taught that violence can be prevented through promoting positive masculinity by encouraging them to treat people equally and respectfully, listen to and value women and girls, and also serve as role models for their male peers.
SSP Atuhaire notes;” It’s about displaying vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and moral courage. Positive masculinity also means embracing femininity and not being ashamed of it,”’
The dialogue comes at a time when the police are registering so many cases relating to Gender-Based Violence.
The UPF Annual crime report of 2020 shows that 17,664 cases of Domestic Violence were reported to Police compared to 13,693 reported in 2019, giving a 29% increase.
A total of 14,134 cases of Defilement were reported to Police compared to 13,613 cases reported in 2019, giving an increase of 3.8%.
The prevalence, complexity, and social acceptance of Gender-Based Violence has generated the recognition that its prevention and response requires broad community participation and particularly the participation of men and boys
SSP Atuhaire says“UPF has the responsibility of ensuring that all people are treated respectfully and crimes against them are dealt with seriously regardless of gender. Positive masculinity in this case will emphasize the values of equality, respect, and dignity for people of all gender identities.
