| dc.description.abstract | Domestic violence still continues to manifest in many homes in Kamwokya slum area. Women
are battered, emotionally tortured, insulted and abused while some men also complain of similar
maltreatment from their wives. It is against this background that Kamwokya slum area was
purposively selected for this study. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative study
design. Document review, survey questionnaire and key informants were used to collect data.
Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis while quantitative data was analyzed using
SPSS version 14 by use of frequency tables. The reported causes of domestic violence in
Kamwokya slum included lack of mutual trust, dispute over property, poor communication, lack
of sexual satisfaction, alcohol or drugs abuse, food insecurity, cultural, norms and beliefs,
character or personality, marital infidelity, relatives and friends among others. Through this
study, the researcher identified body injury or harm, loss of family property, divorce or
separation, adultery, loss of respect, psychosocial problems (emotional and mental
destabilization), death, drunkenness, suicidal feelings and sexual starvation as the major effects
of domestic violence. As a result, the study highlighted the need for couple sensitization,
mediation with family members, strong penalties to offenders, strong religious indoctrination,
support formal education, effective media campaign and frequent communication. Furthermore,
policy measures such as need to recognize domestic violence against women as an important
issue and enhancement of educational and health facilities for the prevention and control of
violence with combined awareness programs including non-governmental organizations through
stakeholders. In addition, comprehensive laws need to be developed and enforcement against
alcohol abuse is required in Uganda. In conclusion, it was found out that the prevalence rate of
domestic violence in Kamwokya is high. Women suffer and are subjected to physical,
psychological and sexual abuse in their home by partners, in-laws and in some circumstances by
their brothers and parents. The factors associated with domestic violence in Kamwokya are loweconomic
status of women, lack of awareness about women rights, lack of education, imbalanced
empowerment issues between males and females, male dominant social structure. Integrated
supportive services, legal intervention and redress should be made available in situations of
domestic violence. Support and help for victims to rebuild and recover their lives after violence
should be part of the intervention strategy, including counseling, relocation, credit support and
employment. In order to prevent women from domestic violence and provide them medical as
well as judicial and legal support, new plans and interventional maps should be made in the
societies in societal leaders, NGOs, police department and people from other similar groups. | en_US |
