Alcoholism has been identified as the leading cause of domestic violence among South Sudanese refugees in the Paluda Refugee Settlement, particularly affecting women in Block 4, Zone 3.
These women are often subjected to beatings, theft, and intimidation in their homes.
The issue was discussed during a community dialogue, or Baraza, held on Monday by Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) in partnership with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).
This event was part of the Strengthening Community-Based Climate Adaptation (STRENGTH) in Uganda and Sudan Project, which is funded by the Danish Family Planning Association (DFPA).
Hellen Peter, a member of the South Sudanese refugee community in Block 4, Zone 3, shared her observations about the situation.
She explains that many men return home drunk from drinking establishments and immediately demand food. “When the woman says, ‘I am still cooking,’ the man starts beating her,” Peter reported.
Thereza Atak Dut, another refugee, highlights how the violence impacts their livelihoods.
She noteds that after harvests, some men steal farm produce and sell it to buy alcohol, and if women try to intervene, they are met with violence because “he is the head of the family.”
Bos Kuol proposes that couples should seek help from friends, neighbors, or community leaders to resolve disputes instead of resorting to violence and emphasizes the importance of respect within the home.
During the dialogue, Christopher Omal, the Chairperson of the Palabek Ogili Sub-county, announced that local leaders have implemented new restrictions on alcohol sales to combat this issue.
By Denis Opoka
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