The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has advised men to talk to their wives instead of battering them.
She made the appeal while officiating at the 2018 Women’s Day celebrations in Buhweju district commemorated under the theme: “Empowerment of rural women, opportunities and challenges”.
The Speaker reminded men that their women are adults who understand once talked to, instead of resorting to beating them like animals.
“I want to tell the men of Buhweju that women have ears, if you want to beat, I will buy all of you drums to beat,” Kadaga said.
She also warned men against marrying young girls who should instead be encouraged to study.
“How can a man come back home and call a girl who should be in Primary Six his wife?” wondered the Speaker.
Domestic violence continues to be highlighted as one of the biggest challenges faced by the rural woman in Uganda.
The leadership in Buhweju district testified that the impact of domestic violence has led to high school dropout rates in the area especially on the side of girls.
The District Women’s League Chairperson, Placida Kamabati said that the girl child is forced to miss school to look after the family due to the absence of the mother, caused by domestic violence.
“We want government to mobilize men and sensitize them about the effects of domestic violence because we love our men and value our marriages,” said Kamabati.
The Resident District Commissioner, Buhweju, Emmy Katera vowed to ensure that men found subjecting their wives to domestic violence are punished accordingly.
“My leadership does not tolerate men who beat their wives, I have dealt with such men and will continue to ensure that a woman is protected against any form of abuse from a man,” Katera said.
The call by Kadaga and the Buhweju local leaders is similar to the views expressed by President Yoweri Museveni during the national women’s day celebrations last month when he labeled men who beat up their wives as “cowards” and “fools”.