Some of the women with physical disabilities note that they are deprived of basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. They also cited abuse by their spouses who impregnate them and disappear leaving them to languish.
Women and girls with disabilities in Acholi have decried the
frequent abuse, violence and discrimination meted against them.
Some of the women with physical disabilities note that they are deprived of
basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. They also cited abuse by their
spouses who impregnate them and disappear leaving them to languish.
Iris Oyella, a mother with physical disability and resident of Katikati Ward,
Alokolum Parish in Gulu City West Division says her husband impregnated her and
disappeared, leaving her to struggle with the children. For the last nine
years, Oyella has survived on the support from well-wishers.
Nighty Ajok, another victim, says her in-laws separated her with husband on
account that she is physically disabled. She disclosed that the family
belittled her saying she adds no value apart from burdening them.
Irene Laker, a Board Member of Gulu Union of Persons with
Disabilities says their office receives and handles at least two cases of
neglect; abandonment, land conflict, sexual abuses and violence against women
or girls living with disabilities.
//Cue in: “Amito waco…
Cue out…latin-neo.”//
Pat Robert Larubi, a rights activist explained that violence orchestrated
against persons with disabilities is due to ignorance. He implores line
organizations and urged families to create community awareness campaigns to
reduce the vice.
//Cue in: “Violence…
Cue out… tomorrow.”//
Women with disabilities are also vulnerable to contracting the deadly HIV/AIDs
scourge because of poverty, difficulty in negotiating safe sex, lack of
accessible information, and susceptibility to violence and rape. They also find
it difficult to reach police stations, health centers which are usually
distanced away.
The Aswa River Region Police Spokesperson Jimmy Patrick Okema says
between March and October this year, Aswa River Region recorded a total of
1,189 cases of domestic violence. Of those cases, 473 and 711 involved children
and the elderly persons respectively.
The theme of Human Rights Day 2020 is to “Recover Better - Stand Up for Human
Rights”. This chosen theme is in light of the global Covid pandemic. It focuses
on creating equal opportunities for everyone and addressing the failures and
disappointments due to Covid -19.
Human Rights Day is celebrated annually on December 10 since the United Nations
General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10
December 1948, the first global document which outlined human rights.
Ochola's journalism career begun from Radio King 90.2 FM in Gulu around 2009, and Radio Rupiny 95.7 Fm under Vision Group in 2012. He also reported for Mighty Fire 91.5 Fm, Kitgum in 2015 before joining Wizarts Foundation in 2017.
He has been reporting for Uganda Radio Network (URN) since 2017 before being posted as Bureau Chief Kitgum, and latr Gulu between 2018 - 2021. Currently, he reports from Parliament.
Ochola O. Dominic
Simon Wokorach
Freelancer