Address Gender based violence in Region - EALA says

… Resolution moved by Hon Shyrose Bhanji unanimously sails through

East African Legislative Assembly; Kampala, Uganda; January 25, 2017:

EALA is calling on Partner States to effectively and comprehensively address gender based violence in the region.

A Resolution to that effect, moved by Hon Shyrose Bhanji, unanimously sailed through the House even as it condemned all act(s) of gender based violence, urging EAC citizens to refrain from the same.

The legislators further urged the Partner States to step up public awareness campaigns against all acts and practices of Gender based violence and to take up measures including strengthening legislation to curb the same.

The Resolution states that while traditionally, gender based violence is mostly associated with “the inflicting of physical injury by one family or household member on another or a repeated/habitual pattern of such behaviour” it broadly includes physical, emotional, verbal, psychological and economic abuse of a victim or anyone related to him or her.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the principle of the inadmissibility of discrimination and proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, including distinction based on gender”, a section of the Resolution reads.

Generally, State Parties to the International Covenants on Human Rights have the obligation to ensure the equal rights of men and women to enjoy all economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights.

According to the mover, gender based violence violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, inflicts emotional and psychological trauma on the victims, is an obstacle to the participation of the victims, on equal terms with other mankind, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of both men and women in the service of their countries and of humanity.

Contributing to the debate, Hon Oda Gasinzigwa said all human beings in the Community were entitled to their rights and that all gender based violence issues need to be addressed.

“I request the Council of Ministers to institute a gender based violence policy”, she said.  The legislator called for the full involvement of boys and men in addressing gender based violence.  “We need not to look at them as perpetrators but as partners”, she added.

Hon Emerence Bucumi remarked that men also suffered from domestic violence.  She said that a number of citizens especially in rural areas were culturally based.

Hon Mumbi Ngaru said political, economic, social and cultural trauma continued to affect and violate women at all levels.  She termed marginalization as violence to the society.

Hon Mike Sebalu said it was important for the laws to take into consideration the brunt that men suffer but often go under-reported.

Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema said gender equality was vital for the region and said Rwanda had realized this component.

Hon Nancy Abisai, Hon Dr James Ndahiro, Hon Kessy Nderakindo, Hon Maganda Julius Wandera supported the Motion.  Others were Hon AbuBakr Ogle, Hon Dr Odette Nyiramilimo and Hon Sarah Bonaya.

-Ends-

For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer;

East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945+254-733-718036;

Email:   bodiko@eachq.org  

Web: https://www.eala.org,

Arusha, Tanzania