Women want budget pledges fulfilled by government

Kotido- Women activists have asked the government to implement budget allocations in a move aimed at eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the country.

Speaking at the annual Peace Exposition 2013 in Kotido District on Wednesday, the activists led by ISIS- Women’s International Cross-Cultural Exchange (ISIS-WICCE) argued that the lack of funds to implement programmes and follow up cases of violence against women has hindered development.

“Most of the work to fight SGBV has been largely left to civil society organisations and yet we have limited budgets. I, therefore, ask the government to make fund allocations as budgeted towards addressing SGBV that has deprived our communities of peace,” said Ms Thelma Awori, the former president of ISIS-WICCE.

Ms Awori said there is a need for government commitment towards achieving healthy families for peaceful communities.

Worrying trend
A report by Centre for Women in Governance indicates that during the 2012/13, government approved $24,960 (about Shs62 million) for the social development sector but only $5,792 (about 14 million) had been released by May 2013.

Ms Lillian Mpabulungi, the advocacy manager at Care International Uganda, attributed the persistent violence to mainly power dynamics between men and women and culture and suggested that budget allocations be implemented to include men in the gender roles.

Kotido District chairperson Adome Lokwii said there is a need for more awareness of families to appreciate their role in promotion of peace for development.
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