Sexual gender based violence and the experiences of men in Ogur sub-county, Lira district

Abstract

Background: Gender‐Based Violence is worldwide across societies and it has usually been noticed among men and women because of their sex and/or their socially constructed gender roles. Sexual Gender Based Violence include acts that impose physical, mental, or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. Worldwide perpetration of sexual and Gender Based Violence has been recognized to be present in both developed and developing countries regardless of who you are.In Sub-Saharan Africa women’s report on sexual gender based violence has been documented compared to that of men between 14% men and 41% women. In Uganda Sexual and Gender Based Violence of men and women are respectively of 26% and 37% by Demographic and Health Survey, (2011). In the Northern Uganda sexual gender based violence is worse in areas that had been affected by the Lord Resistant Army. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore sexual gender based violence and the experiences of men in Ogur sub-county, lira district. The study was guided by four objectives; to explore the aspects of social constructivism and power in Ogur sub-county in Lira district, to establish the effects of Sexual Gender Based Violence on the men in Ogur sub-county in Lira district, to devise solutions to address Sexual Gender Based Violence on men in Ogur sub-county in Lira district. Methodology: The study was a case control study with only qualitative approach. The study data was collected using structured focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and key informants’ interviews. The study was conducted in Ogur sub county and it constituted married men and women respondents from villages ,police out post, local council one and local council three of Ogur sub-county The researcher used purposive sampling to draw the sample of respondents who were be interviewed in the field. The first Focus Group Discussions consisted of nine men and the second FGDs consisted of eight women who were purposively sampled. Qualitative data were conceptualized, coded and organized into common concepts, themes and emerging issues for easy analysis and interpretation. Results: The study results shows that sexual gender based violence among men is a common issue according to the findings from the respondents .They emphasized that the cause of sexual gender based violence were poverty ,extramarital affairs ,overdrinking ,family background of their partners , poor communication ,women’s rights ,early marriage ,educational level, domestic chores, resource utilization, cultural aspects, substance abuse and leisure without the partner. The study findings also shows that some of the women are perpetrators of sexual gender based violence due to extramarital relationship and over dinking .Some women are also involved in extramarital relationship and they tend to inflict sexual gender based violence on their partners in the name of women’s rights and this has brought about shame, fear, trauma and physical injuries. Recommendations Advocate for improvements and programs in several areas: health care services, including capacity to identify survivors and enlarged access to clinical care and psychosocial support for male survivors, program for safer and healthier life style, economic development initiatives, including microfinance programs, for men and their families to assist them to regain their productive role in the family, community awareness and empowerment.