{"id":35236,"date":"2017-11-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-23T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ready-for-feedback3.com\/shape-history\/fmr\/ondeko-purdin\/"},"modified":"2024-08-27T14:32:29","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T19:32:29","slug":"ondeko-purdin","status":"publish","type":"fmr_content","link":"https:\/\/www.fmreview.org\/ar\/ondeko-purdin\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the causes of gender-based violence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Surveys of Sudanese refugees in the Achol-pii refugee settlement in northern Uganda in 2000 and subsequently in the camp in Kiryandango to which they were relocated in 2002 have highlighted a high incidence of gender-based violence (GBV). Using a participatory approach, researchers from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) investigated and assessed the causes of GBV and coping mechanisms in order to work with the community to design appropriate intervention strategies. <\/font><\/p>\n

Main causes of GBV<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

Only basic necessities are provided to camp residents. As the ordinary means of survival have been disrupted, traditional divisions of labour have broken down. Because refugees in Achol-pii had no land to cultivate male tasks disappeared while women continued to undertake their traditional tasks such as fetching water and cooking. The survey showed that the men worked only four hours a day, while women worked about 20 hours a day. Men spent most of their time socialising at the market. Domestic violence is one of the negative consequences of enforced idleness and the ensuing frustration. <\/font><\/p>\n

Four fifths of such valued household assets as bicycles and radios are owned by men. Women's possessions are mostly confined to low-value assets such as cooking utensils, jerry-cans and food. This is often a source of conflict in the home. "When the men are drunk they beat us and ask for good food like meat,"<\/i> – which the women cannot afford. Instead they cook vegetables which are considered a poor man's food.<\/font><\/p>\n

In Kiryandango, where refugees have access to land, alcohol abuse is rampant in October, November and January when the refugees are able to generate a bit of income by selling the food they harvest."The little food we get is taken by our husbands to exchange for alcohol. When they get drunk, they beat us and they expect good food."<\/i> However from April to June the rate of drinking alcohol decreases since most people are busy in their fields. Alcohol abuse is directly linked with increases in domestic violence. One woman said: "My husband forces me to have sex with him in the presence of my daughters due to the influence of alcohol.''<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

Defilement – a term used in Ugandan law to describe sexual relations with an adolescent – is widespread. Girls as young as ten may be forced into marriage. Insufficient shelter increased exposure to abuse. Tents are grossly overcrowded and at night parents in search of privacy may send away teenagers to spend the night with neighbours or relatives, thus exposing them to sexual exploitation. <\/font><\/p>\n

When and where do GBV incidents occur?<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

Informants reported common instances where the risk of GBV is particularly severe: <\/font><\/p>\n