AFRICA/UGANDA - The drama of gender-based violence in refugee camps during the Covid-19 pandemic

Saturday, 5 December 2020 women violence refugees

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Kampala (Agenzia Fides) - "Looking at the situation in South Sudan, where conflicts and violence are the order of the day, there is no doubt that the refugees who fled their country and live in the camps are traumatized and in need of psychosocial support. Providing psychosocial support at a family level is very useful in dealing with cases of gender-based violence",explains Juan Jackyn of the movement of young South Sudanese artists known as #Anataban, who works alongside South Sudanese refugees in Uganda.
Jacklyn points out that most cases of GBV, especially during these times of Covid-19, result from frustrations over the lost job opportunities and other sources of income. Families are struggling and frustrations usually result in violence against spouses or children.
The activist explains that many families have difficulties in providing for their basic needs such as food which has led to scenarios in which parents have have had to give their children away because they are not able t ogive them adequate food and education.
Therefore, in addressing the issue of gender-based violence, psychosocial support must reach all members of the family, including children, women and men.
Jacklyn urges community members to report cases of women abused by husbands to the authorities: "If you see your neighbor abusing his wife, do not hesitate to let community leaders know. It is important that a situation that cannot be resolved at a family level is managed by community leaders" he concludes.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has sounded the alarm over the increase in gender-based violence in refugee camps around the world during the lockdowns imposed to contain the pandemic.
Uganda welcomes 800,000 of the 4.3 million South Sudanese refugees and internally displaced people forced to flee due to the civil war that broke out in December 2013. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 5/12/2020)