SRHR SYMPOSIUM: STAKEHOLDERS CALL FOR ACTION AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE OF WOMEN AND GIRLS

Bako Christine Abia speaking at the symposium.

By Sunday Amandi

Arua city

Women and girls take the core responsibilities of home management in most cases, and the harsh climatic conditions expose them to sexual harassment and abuse in the communities in different ways.

While speaking as the guest speaker at the West Nile Sexual Reproductive Health Rights(SHRH) symposium organized by Femi Nature Uganda and partners in Arua city, Bako Christine Abia,the former woman member of parliament for Arua district demands for action from the society to bring in good partnership in between boys and girls to eliminate such challenges.

“As far as changing this cultural attitude, it’s very important that we collectively come and educate the boy and the girl child and give them equal opportunities so that they start looking at each other as partners,” Abia said.

Similarly, Geoffrey Feta, the Member of Parliament for Ayivu East in Arua city calls for sensitization of the community members on the best ways to up bring morally upright children.

“Many girls in different homes are suffering consequences of sexual violence, sexual indiscipline because of awareness issues and cultural complications, and sometimes these issues die there, this is because of lack of awareness,” noted Feta.

However, Judith Bako, the assistant Resident city commissioner for central division in Arua city demands for laws that can help to eradicate such cases of violence on women and girls in the communities.

“We ought to move to the society, to the community, so that we can speak to our young mothers, so that they have the information, that will enable them to have total autonomy,” Judith revealed.

This symposium was aimed at promoting women’s empowerment, leadership, resilience, and self-confidence,