Police and local authorities should do more in protection of women

Governments, women activists and police have variously campaigned against Gender Based Violence (GBV). Last week, members of the National Women Council in the Northern Province vowed to help rural women in the fight against this vice. However, the media continues to be awash with reports of atrocious incidences of women being killed by men including their partners, the most glaring sign of GBV. The latest incidence was in Kivuluga Sector, Gakenke District in the Northern Province where a woman and her two daughters were allegedly killed by her step son over property. Earlier, another woman had been killed in Busengo Sector in the same district by four suspects among them the deceased’s own husband, who are now in police custody. Police called for vigilance and advised residents to settle family conflicts amicably, which is right. But do these latest incidences mean the war against GBV is being lost? Police is supposed to ensure security for all citizens. Police and authorities need to take more stringent measures to protect women especially in rural areas. This requires addressing the underlying causes of the vice. The Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion should also join the efforts to curb GBV-It is a very big challenge to women empowerment. The most common cause of GBV is property wrangles. Authorities should take a tough decision on matters of property especially during weddings. While exchanging marriage vows, a man is normally asked whether he accepts to jointly own family property with his partner, which he answers in the affirmative. But few brides if any move with personal property to her new home. This matter becomes contentious as the partners grow old. It needs to be addressed. Ends

Opinions

Police and local authorities should do more in protection of women