About the Activity

One of the majorly cited causes of violence against women leading to discrimination is the existence of cultural and religious practices. Many of the cultural and religious practices are surrounded by a lot of myths and misconceptions that stigmatize and trap women in abusive relationships, poverty and ignorance while others impose power over women and prevent them from making independent and informed decisions. Religious and cultural practices reflect values and beliefs held by members of a community for periods often spanning for generations. Every social grouping in the world has specific traditional cultural practices and beliefs some which are beneficial to all members while others are harmful to a specific group especially women. The religious and cultural norms are enforced by the religious and cultural leaders. It is because of the major role they play in the community that PSD desires to train them with an aim of equipping them with knowledge on the myths and misconceptions, their impact on the women and to also change attitudes and behavior in the community.

The project will therefore address access to justice issues that women in violent relationships face, stigma and discrimination that has affected women from leaving violent relationship. Therefore, PSD trained 15 religious and 15cultural leaders from the areas of Nabweru, Kyengera, Kakiri town council, and MendeSub County on the myths and misconceptions on violence against women causing stigma and discrimination.

The overall objective of the training was to equip the religious and cultural leaders with knowledge on the myths and misconceptions on violence against women, domestic violence and related rights and freedoms of women. The specific objectives of the training   include:To increase the participants’ knowledge on domestic violence (causes, prevention, myths and misconceptions, effects and response and related topics), to empower cultural and religious leaders with skills of identifying women survivors and offering the necessary support,  to empower participants with knowledge on how to handle women survivors of violence, and to highlight and emphasize the participants on their role as leaders in rolling out violence against women.