The effectiveness of the existing legal and policy frame works in addressing gender-based violence concerns among women in Kawala, Rubaga Division, Kampala District

Abstract

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a widespread violation of human rights that affects millions of women and girls globally (Duncan, 2022). It encompasses physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse directed at individuals based on their gender. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence. GBV undermining health, safety, and equality, impeding progress towards global development (Organization, 2021). International development frameworks have recognized the urgency of addressing GBV. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG 3) sought to promote gender equality and empower women, while Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) specifically targets the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. These frameworks emphasize the need forstrong legal mechanisms and systemic interventions to address GBV (Equality et al., 2017). GBV has severe consequences for women’s health, economic well-being, and participation in society, and remains a significant barrier to gender equality, particularly in developing countries such as Uganda (Okpokwasili, 2024). . Globally, in 2023, an average of 140 women and girls were killed each day by intimate partners or family members around 51,100 deaths compared to 48,800 in 2022. Most of these killings occurred in the home (UN Women 2022) Studies further found out that around 30–35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and or sexual intimate partner violence, or non-partner sexual violence, in their lifetime specifically, 27% of women aged 15–49 have endured intimate partner violence (Sardinha et al., 2022). However, The effectiveness of legal frameworks against GBV is limited due to enforcement gaps, cultural resistance, and institutional weaknesses for instance as of 2023, only 52 countries explicitly criminalized marital rape (World bank 2023; Davis & Johnstonbaugh, 2024).