DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO MEN IN UGANDA

AREN’T MEN JUST AS LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS WOMEN

Though spousal violence against women is much more prevalent, many Ugandan men also experience domestic violence.

The Ugandan public usually perceives it that it is only women who are violated and abused, forgetting that there are men who are equally victims of domestic violence at the hands of their wives, partners or even ex-partners.

While it is evidenced that women and young girls in Uganda are most at the risk of emotional abuse, physical and sexual violence against men and boys still happens but they feel lowered to report such cases to the police or seek help for fear of stigma.

If a man walked to the police station and reported a case of domestic violence by his wife, no one would believe him. The police officers would even first insult him before asking him to make a statement. In most cases. Such statements are not even followed up. How would a woman beat up a man?

Nevertheless, men can actually be violated in very many ways similar to the way women are abused. Some men are physically violated by their wives like beating them, assaulting them, burning them with hot water, shoving them and many more physical attacks.

In Uganda, domestic violence to men is through violating them sexually and treating them in a sexually demeaning manner or any other conduct of a sexual nature, whether physical, verbal or nonverbal. Some men have fallen victims where there forced into sex by some rich women in reward for money or employment while others are coerced by their wives and girlfriends.

Domestic violation to men in Uganda also crosses to psychologically torture through intimidation, threats of harm and isolation. Fear is instilled in men by a threatening behavior such as demanding for property more so by divorced women with children, by controlling what the victim does and who they talk to, generally controlling their lives.

Ugandan men also suffer from emotional abuse where women tend to undermine their sense of worth through constant criticism, embarrassing them, mocking, humiliating and treating them like their servants. Here you will find a home where it is the man who does all the house chores including cleaning, washing and cooking, work that would probably be done by a woman.

Still men in Uganda are economically abused. Some men are stopped from working and carrying on the duties of a husband. Shameless women even control their husband’s financial resources claiming that they can take full responsibility.

Just because a few men come out to show off the domestic violence that they go through, doesn’t mean that they are not abused.

However, remember that men are also entitled to full human rights just like women, they should be protected and listened to when they reach out for help.

Let’s support the men. This is better through empowering the boy child to so as they grow into responsible citizens. Everyone is empowering the girl child, but who is preparing for boy for the empowered girl. We can start the change, Men are also just as human as women.