{UAH} AN ACHOLI CHIEF SAYS NO TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Uganda: Acholi Chief Says No to Gender-Based Violence

Report

from UN Development Fund for Women

Published on 23 Mar 2010 — View Original

 

Kampala - The Acholi Principles on Gender and Sexual Relations - a set of cultural norms that have been compiled through consultations with chiefs, traditional leaders, opinion-makers and the general Acholi population - were launched at a ceremony in Acholiland in Northern Uganda on 15 March. UNIFEM supported the development of the principles through a joint programme on ending gender-based violence. The Acholi Paramount Chief, His Highness Rwot David Onen Ocana, attended the ceremony and pronounced himself against any practices within his chiefdom that promoted gender-based violence.

"Today, I disassociate myself from anybody who will use culture as a justification for violence against women. Men who violate women are cowards," stated the Acholi Paramount Chief in his address on this occasion. In an acknowledgment of the atrocities faced by his people during the 20 years of conflict in Northern Uganda, he specifically noted the disproportionate burden that women shared during the insurgency of the Lord's Resistance Army, including rape and continued physical violence. He emphasized that for the return and resettlement process to be effective and constructive, women's right to land and human security must be recognized.

His Highness Rwot Acana also launched a six-month campaign to end gender-based violence in Acholiland. In an expression of his commitment, the Acholi Chief associated his campaign with the UN Secretary-General's campaign, UNiTE to End Violence against Women, and registered his action on the website of UNIFEM's Say NO - UNiTE initiative. He called on national and district authorities to enact legislation and ordinances that would reinforce the Acholi Principles on Gender Relations, and to ensure women's full participation in the recovery programme for Northern Uganda.

The Acholi Principles on Gender Relations are a work in progress and more remains to be done in order to bring them in full compliance with both domestic and international women's human rights standards. The Regional Programme Director of UNIFEM for East and Horn of Africa, Meryem Aslan, however noted that the process was very symbolic and significant, as it recognized women's voices and their right to negotiate and shape culture.

The ceremony saw the Chiefs of Alur, Teso and Lango invite partners and stakeholders working in Acholiland to cooperate on ending gender-based violence in their own chiefdoms, with the shared message that violence was not part of their culture. A delegation from the Office of the Prime Minister was present at the ceremony, as well as representatives from UN agencies, the donor community and civil society organizations.

Acholiland in Northern Uganda comprises five chiefdoms that were the epicenter of the Lord's Resistance Army's insurgency against the Government of Uganda. A Cessation of Hostilities Agreement was signed in 2006 and paved the way for peace talks and the return of the population, about 80 percent of whom had lived in camps during the insurgency. Women in the resettling communities face many challenges related to land disputes and high levels of gender-based violence.

 

 

EM

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