Uganda
Read MoreWhile there have been some positive recent steps to fight violence against women in Uganda, in particular the adoption of laws criminalising female genital mutilation and sanctioning domestic violence, measures necessary to ensure the implementation of these measures are lacking, whilst other much needed reforms of discriminatory laws have stalled.
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Hippopotamus in Queen Elizabeth national park.
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Silverback in Biwindy national park.
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Group of kids from a small fishing village on he shores of Lake Edward.
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Violence against women in Uganda remains widespread. Although, two major pieces of legislation came into force in 2010, the Domestic Violence Act and the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, implementation of these laws remains limited.
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Since the entry into force of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, de-localization of the practice across the Kenyan border has developed, while other harmful traditional practices in Uganda remain prevalent, including early and forced marriage, abduction of girls, “widow inheritance” and “wife sharing”.
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Children have played a major role in the conflicts that regularly erupt in Uganda. They were, in effect, recruited by armed groups who kidnapped them at an early age; and they lived under the most atrocious conditions.
Young girls were raped and then kidnapped from their homes. Having fallen into the hands of these armed factions, they were forced to prostitute themselves and were constantly mistreated by their captors.
Numerous young boys became active members of armed groups. On orders from their commanders, they murdered and massacred entire families. The violent acts that they have witnessed, committed and been subjected to during childhood, will have a long-term effect on both their physical and mental health. The image of those acts will remain with them for the rest of their lives and their personalities will be changed forever.
Reintegrating such children into civil society is complicated. They have known only violence and cruelty over many years and find it difficult to return to a normal life. Certain centers have been established to aid them, but it is still hard to bring them back into the fold.
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In Uganda, work is an everyday reality for about 36% of children between the ages of 5 and 14. They are compelled to find an activity that will improve their families’ financial resources, or, if they are orphans, that will enable them to survive.
Certain children leave the land of their birth and become servants or work in agricultural sectors in neighboring countries. Child-trafficking is equally prevalent throughout the territory. Children are exploited in a variety of ways; some become the pawns of sex-merchants, while others end up in the drug-trade. Uganda is unfortunately one of the principal sources and destinations of child-trafficking.
Homeless street children who avoid falling into the clutches of traffickers have no choice but to beg. And the conditions of their existence are absolutely deplorable.UgandaAfricachildren culturedocumentaryphotographyphotographyphotitotraveltravelreportagephotography
Many young Ugandan children are forced to live on the streets. They find themselves forced to migrate either because their parents have died, or owing to the drought and misery of the region in which they live. At least 10, 000 children live on the streets in Uganda, particularly in the capital of Kampala. The conditions they face are very bleak and they must constantly fight to survive.
Survival is very difficult. Begging is often their only option, even if this practice is very dangerous and frequently leads to their being violently beaten when they ask passersby for money.
Children who live on the streets are equally at the mercy of slave traffickers who, despite promising them a better life, quickly take advantage of them. Such children rapidly become the victims of many vile practices and despicable acts.
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The use of force is common; in general, demonstrations are violently suppressed. As a result, the personal security of individuals is considerably limited. Often, it is the nonpartisan individual who finds him- or herself in wrong place at the wrong time, and ends up paying the price. A certain number of children, for example, are routinely wounded or even killed during these demonstrations.
The situation for homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals is equally deplorable. They are violently persecuted and their freedom of expression totally violated. Homosexuality is considered a crime and can be punished with extremely heavy prison sentences. The rights of adolescent children are totally obsolete and they have no means of making themselves heard and respected.
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“Continuing violations of women’s rights in Uganda is also linked to women’s lack of economic empowerment. Women hardly own any land and the law prevents them from inheriting property. If the government is serious about tackling discrimination and violence, these issues must be addressed as a matter of priority,”
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For over two decades, north and north eastern Uganda experienced armed conflicts that caused immense suffering. However, women have been excluded from peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction and the conflicts have left a legacy of violence against women.
Many experience sexual assault, domestic violence, and early and forced marriage. Legislation banning violence against women has been passed but hasn’t been put into action. Women still have low status, little financial independence, and are at high risk of developing HIV and AIDS.
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58 per cent of women believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife (Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2011).
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Just under half of women in Uganda have experienced physical violence from a partner, while over a third have experienced sexual violence from one (UN Women 2011-2012).
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360 women die in childbirth for every 100,000 babies born alive (World Bank Data).
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