Victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and those at risk, are being urged to break the silence and seek help as government and community leaders intensify calls for openness and support.
Rights activists say that silence often follows violence, harassment, or coercion, particularly in cases of sexual abuse, where survivors fear being doubted, shamed, or punished. They add that while women and girls are disproportionately affected, men and boys also endure physical assault and rape, but rarely speak out due to stigma around masculinity and societal expectations.
In a renewed push to reverse this culture of silence, State Minister for Gender, Peace Mutuzo, is encouraging survivors to utilise online reporting platforms to quickly access assistance from police and other relevant authorities.
She appealed to community leaders to stand firmly with survivors, raise public awareness about both online and offline forms of GBV, and create a safe environment where victims feel empowered to speak out.
Mutuzo also condemned the growing misuse of social media, noting that online spaces are increasingly being weaponised to degrade and intimidate women. She stressed the need for collective action to call out abusers and champion respectful, responsible digital engagement.
Among those directly affected is Esther Mbambu from Nyakasojo Lower in Bulembia Division, a GBV survivor who has made an emotional plea to the ministry for stronger support systems. Mbambu said many victims who become physically incapacitated as a result of violence end up isolated and neglected.
In March this year, she was brutally attacked by her husband, Hassan Kadogo, during a domestic fight, a violent assault that resulted in the loss of both her arms. Kasese District Probation Officer, Faisal Kiralira, attributed the prevalence of GBV to deep-rooted household poverty and persistent harmful cultural practices.
He underscored the need to encourage victims to come forward, share their experiences, and foster widespread awareness to counter the vice.
The message was amplified as the Ministry of Gender and Social Development has officially launched the 2025 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence in Kasese District. The initiative aims to raise awareness, strengthen prevention efforts, and support survivors in a district that continues to grapple with high GBV rates, ranking third nationally.
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