A few weeks back we brought you articles or blogs on violence in our homes or communities. We hope you took time to read through. In Greater Masaka which is comprised of: Rakai, Masaka, Kyotera, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Lwengo, Ssembabule and Kalangala) early marriages and alcohol abuse are some of the factors fueling IPV.
James is a coffee buyer in Nninzi, kyotera district. He is 27yrs and currently has three wives in three separate villages. Two of them complained to their friends that James assaults them every time he is drunk. He often blames them of stealing from him and ends up beating them. Jacinta (21yr old, wife No 2 had a miscarriage) when she told her own parents about it, they asked her to go back to her husband. They told her that is what being being a faithful wife entails! Jacinta had to go back to her husband since her own family had sided with the husband. They condoned the harsh treatment and beatings she faced. Unfortunately most people in different communities receive such responses when they try to speak up about IPV.
Causes of Intimate Partner Violence are rarely reported because of the stigma associated with being abused.
IPV is a domestic violence by a spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner.
IPV can take a number of forms including physical, verbal, emotional, economic and sexual abuse.
IPV could be blamed on one's childhood but it is not justifiable. If a man beats up a woman(physical abuse) and the women were expected to financially depend on men(often leading to financial abuse) perpetrators of IPV tend to feel the need to control their partner because of low self esteem and failure to control one's feelings, alcoholism, financial dependency and peer influence among other issues.
Victims of IPV should know that they are not alone and that they don't deserve to be abused.
At MAHIPSO, we are collecting data on IPV in Greater Masaka Region and according to our Action plan, we shall engage different community based Dev't officers, the law and community leaders to increase awareness on how abuses can be perpetrated. For instance, people should know that putting hands on another person without consent is assault ! ,People should know that partners should not be beaten just because they didn't iron or wash a given shirt well.
IPV is an important issue we need to tackle in Greater Masaka Region.This issue is also very central to our understanding of sexuality and power roles in our communities.
Couples should negotiate when and how to have sex. This is called negotiated sex agreements. just because there is flirting, it may not be construed as permission to have sex. partners or spouses should know each other and should treat breaks which renew intimacy. this can be in form of buying each other presents or eating out and verbal apologies.
Communities should come up with anti IPV committees. victims should immediately call on these committees. for our region this is a 24hr intimate partner violence support system.
MAHIPSO CEO has put up a number to call (+256755711264) and we shall work in partnership with the leaders and security committees to say no to all forms of IPV. All calls are confidential and we guarantee immediate response.
We want to state categorically that we do not discriminate anyone based on orientation, status or standing in community.
We offer support and information to friends, family members and those who seek for our services.
Our aim is to make every person aware of the options so that you can make informed choices as regards IPV.
Who can call us? Anyone experiencing IPV, friends, family and acquaintances of those experiencing IPV and would like to get them professional help.
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