Cultural leaders in Pader rally against gender-based violence in communities

8 October 2025, 8:27 pm

By Ayiro Golden Vicky

Cultural leaders in Pader District have expressed concern over the continued cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in communities, urging residents to desist from the practice, which they say violates human rights and fuels underdevelopment within families.

Speaking over the weekend, Odong Moses, the Prime Minister of Ker Kwaro Pader, attributed the rising cases of GBV to frequent misunderstandings between men and women—particularly during the harvest season—as well as to alcoholism and drug abuse.

Odong appealed to men to become active allies in the fight against GBV, especially during the harvest period, by exercising self-control and showing mutual respect towards their partners. He also called upon political aspirants to minimise unnecessary campaign activities as the election period approaches, noting that political tensions can sometimes escalate domestic conflicts.

Meanwhile, Rwot Francis Orik Apwa, a cultural leader under Ker Kwaro Pader, emphasised the need for collective efforts to restore traditional African values of mutual respect, regardless of age or gender. He said such cultural revival could help reduce gender-based violence in homes and communities.

In a related development, Ogole Washington, the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) for Pader District, speaking on Luo FM, urged parents to support one another in times of need and work together to build peaceful families.

According to the 2024 Annual Crime Report, over 75 percent of domestic violence victims in Uganda were women and girls, with all 1,667 recorded rape victims being women. The report also revealed that women accounted for 98 percent of defilement cases, highlighting the persistent challenge of gender-based violence across the country.