Role of society organizations in the promotion of the rights of male victims of inter-partner violence in Uganda: the case of relief teenage and marital counseling Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the role of Civil Society Organizations in Uganda in the promotion of the rights of male victims of Inter-Partner Violence (IPV) in Wakiso district using the case of Relief Teenage and Marital Counseling Foundation Uganda (RETMAC-F). The study sought to identify the factors leading to the prevalence of IPV, the diffrent forms of IPV faced, roles played by RETMAC in the promotion of rights of IPV victims and the challenges faced by RETMAC in trying to promote the rights of IPV victims. The study was mainly conducted using a qualitative method of interviews. Data was collected from male victims, RETMAC staff, Local Council 1 members and police family desk officials. The study established the forms of IPV as; psychological, sexual and physical and these include; being pushed and locked out of house, throwing dangerous items such as glasses and clay plates, kicking, cutting using machete and struggling; involvement in extra marital sex and denial of conjugal rights; verbal abuse, stalking, humiliation and defamation in front of the public, control and intimidation, treating the men like children and isolating the husbands from the family. In addition, the factors leading to the prevalence of IPV according to male victims were; taking alcohol, smoking, having multiple wives, poverty, family background, low level of education of the female partner, family neglect, unemployment, drug abuse and sexually transmitted diseases. The role played by RETMAC include; paying medical bills to the victims who are physically injured, re-uniting male victims, information sharing on IPV against men, conducting outreach campaigns and radio talk shows, increasing men’s capacity to report IPV, creating a violence free home environment and establishing a rehabilitation center for battered men and women. The challenges are; non-disclosure of IPV cases among men, attacks from competing human rights activists or defenders, limited financial resources, and limited reliable data on the prevalence of IPV and sustainability issues. The study concluded that IPV against men still exists in Wakiso district though less than IPV against women. The study recommended that a similar study should be conducted in the whole of central region to understand the overall prevalence and the factors leading to IPV against men such that a framework for complete elimination of IPV against men can be designed. Also, the study conducted should incorporate statistics to help planners to mobilize resources enough to implement a successful intervention.