 |
| Group Photo of the Workshop Participants with Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli |
Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), in partnership with the Irish organizations, Trocaire and Irish Aid, embarked on the effort of conducting sensitization workshops in various dioceses to create awareness about the problem of domestic violence and to bring about behaviour change in families and communities.
The first workshop was held on February 25-26 at Foyer De Charite, Namugongo in Kampala for the priests of Lugazi Diocese, and the second one took place on March 3 at Apostolic Social Centre in Lira Diocese for the priests and religious.
The workshops, which were conducted under the theme, ‘Shared Decisions, Shared Development, Shared Happiness’, explored the role of key pastoral agents in addressing the problem of domestic violence.
The Bishop of Lira Diocese and Chairman of the UEC Social Communications Commission, Rt. Rev Joseph Franzelli graced the event at Lira, while Msgr. Richard Kayondo, the Vicar General, represented Bishop Christopher Kakooza of Lugazi Diocese.
Reflecting on the different forms of domestic violence, Fr Ssemogere told the gathering that domestic abuse occurs across society, regardless of age, gender, race, wealth and geography. He added that, “domestic violence is a phenomenon that affects whoever forms part of what we call a family. As Pastors of the Catholic Church in Uganda, we state that domestic violence by men against women or vice versa inside and outside the home is never justified. Violence in any form, be it physical, sexual, psychological or verbal is sinful and a crime. It is against this background that we have organized this workshop in conjunction with Trocaire Uganda, to come up with some practical pastoral responses for the prevention and end of domestic violence.”
Fr Odii also described the communication dynamics associated with domestic violence including the importance of communication in families and the effects of social media. “Communication is necessary for personal and social life, including family life. Since communication entails sharing of meaning leading to mutual understanding, its break-down between/among family members causes misunderstanding hence tension and violence,” he noted.
“Social media can promote peace and harmony in society but at the same time cause division and destruction. Some of the perpetrators use social media to manipulate, control and stalk their victims. On the other hand, social media can be used positively to propagate messages of love, peace and respect for human dignity, and to bring to light incidences of domestic violence and thus enable the victims or survivors to get support from the community and the relevant authorities, ”said Fr Odii.
In responding to the presentations and discussing the way forward of the workshop, the clergy and the religious shared personal experiences and gave each other tips on how to
identify what is really happening in families in their communities, as well as the possible interventions.
The national campaign against domestic violence was launched by the three partners in November 2010 during the Advent Season.
By Jacinta Wangalawa Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference