Examining the levels of awareness about violence against women among the Batwa community in Kisoro district

Abstract

The research was carried out under the topic examining the levels of awareness about violence against women among the Batwa community in Kisoro District, South Western Uganda. The research was guided by the objectives of examining the levels of awareness about violence against women, how information is accessed about violence against women among the Batwa and if there is any government programme aimed at addressing violence against women. A case study design was adopted in which both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to gather information. The sampling techniques included purposive and simple random samplings supported by face to face interviews with key informants and questionnaires. Results from the study indicated that information regarding violence against women was not adequately disseminated thus leading to the prevalence of high cases of abuse. It was also found out that the various sources of communication used to spread information about violence against women were in most cases not accessed by the Batwa community, thus creating a very big gap in the creation of knowledge or awareness on the levels of violence against women. What other communities see as a sign of violence against women, the Batwa perceive it as a sign of love and discipline within their community especially domestic and sexual violence. Thus, the study found out that any information that is passed on in any other form other than face to face meetings is not accessed by the Batwa community. Their culture is also still strong in contributing to high levels of violence against women. The researcher recommends that efforts in a bid to ensure that violence against women within the Batwa community is addressed and it requires that all approaches and methods that appreciate the cultural set up should be embraced if the Batwa Community are to appreciate the development within their settings. This includes streamlining the performance and delivery of duty bearers within the Batwa community that seem not to offend them in realising the government concerns on violence against women.