UGANDA: Catholic Communicators in Uganda join forces to tackle domestic violence
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| 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.
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.
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.
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.
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| 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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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| 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 Christ’s sake; therefore you are part and person of this
campaign,” he said.
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 Christ’s 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.
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 one’s safety and privacy online.”
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 one’s safety and privacy online.”
The function concluded with
remarks from the Chief Guest, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta, who is also the UEC
Secretary General.
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
Jacinta Wangalwa Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
