UGANDA: Catholic Communicators in Uganda join forces to
tackle
domestic violence
Msgr. John Baptist Kauta,
Secretary General UEC
As part of the ongoing Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC)
national campaign against domestic violence, the Diocesan
Communication Coordinators and the Directors of Catholic Radio in
Uganda joined forces on March 24-25 at St. Augustine Institute in
Kampala, for a workshop on domestic violence prevention.
The two-day workshop, which attracted a total of 30 Catholic
communicators, was held under the theme, Shared Decisions, Shared
Development, Shared Happiness, and was aimed at increasing the
knowledge and understanding of pastoral communicators in
investigating and reporting on domestic violence and, equip them
with proper channels of communications in the prevention
campaign.
This is the third workshop on domestic violence to be organized
this year by UEC in partnership with the Irish organizations,
Trocaire and Irish Aid. The first workshop was held on February
25-26 at Foyer De Charite, Namugongo in Kampala for the priests of
Lugazi Diocese, and the second one took place on March 3
at Apostolic Social Centre in Lira Diocese for the priests and
religious.
Mrs. Kwesigabo, National
Program Officer, Domestic Violence
Prevention Desk UEC
In her presentation, the National Programmer Officer for the
Domestic Violence Prevention Desk of UEC, Mrs Kwesigabo; described
domestic violence as any act or practice that result in a physical,
sexual, physiological or economic harm or suffering to the victim
especially intimate partners.
Most men use their control and power over women and as a result
it is the women that suffer greatly, with at times, nobody come to
their rescue, she noted adding The media can make a change and
reduce the spate of domestic violence through continuous reporting
on occurrences and endeavoring to preach against the perpetration
of such violence against women and girls in our society.
She, in that regard, was calling the communicators to make good
use of the workshop as it will help them build their capacity in
reporting on such matters as well as link them to campaign against
domestic violence in their communities.
By accurately covering domestic violence cases, the
communicators can make a significant difference in helping families
and communities understand how domestic violence can be disastrous
in the society, she said.
The UEC Executive Secretary of Pastoral/Liturgical Department,
Fr Ssemogerere lauded the initiative of the department, especially
at this time when domestic violence is posing a menace in our
society.
Group Photo of Workshop Participants
He encouraged the communicators to cast the curtains of silence
aside and speak the truth to enable people hear the victims of
domestic violence and take action. You
are a unique caliber and not just journalists. You communicate
to change hearts and win souls for Christs sake; therefore you are
part and person of this campaign, he said.
In his presentation, the UEC Executive Secretary for Social
Communications Department Fr Phillip Odii stated that the
communicators can adopt the use of new media, also known as social
media, to help in tackling domestic violence. He said that the use
of online social networking sites is increasingly common, fast, and
new sites and new features are still coming up all the time.
However he cautioned the participants to avoid the misuse of
social networking sites, like Facebook, stating, It is important to
know the risks, as well as the realities relating to ones safety
and privacy online.
The function concluded with remarks from the Chief Guest, Msgr.
John Baptist Kauta, who is also the UEC Secretary General.
By Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal
Conference
