The International Justice Mission has handed over 700 copies of the Policy Guidelines on Family and Gender Relations translated into the Lhukonzo language to the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Kingdom in a bid to combat rising cases of gender-based violence in the Rwenzori sub-region.
The translated guidelines are expected to make the policy more accessible to local communities, enabling families to better understand issues surrounding gender relations, children’s rights, marriage, and conflict resolution within homes.
According to recent reports, gender-based violence remains a serious concern, with statistics indicating that six out of every ten women experience some form of violence, while an estimated 7.7 out of every ten girls face sexual violence at some point in their lives.
Leaders say such alarming figures require collective efforts from cultural institutions, government, and civil society organizations.
The books were officially received during a function held at the Rwenzori International Hotel.
Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, Benson Kule Baritazale, said the translation aligns with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to address family conflicts and promote moral values in communities.
“This translated policy guideline will help our people understand issues of family relations in their own language. It will also help us reduce domestic conflicts related to property ownership, children’s rights, food security, marriage, and cultural morals within our communities,” Baritazale said.
Baritazale noted that the initiative builds on earlier efforts by the Kingdom to promote harmony and respect within families.
In 2024, the King of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, Charles Wesley Mumbere, officially launched the policy book in partnership with the International Justice Mission in Kasese, pledging continued collaboration to ensure the protection of people’s rights.
Meanwhile, the Kasese District Local Council Five Chairperson, Erifaz Muhindi, commended the initiative and pledged district support in the fight against gender-based violence, early marriages, and school dropouts.
“We shall continue to advocate against gender-based violence, teenage marriages, and school dropouts. As district leadership, we are ready to support the kingdom in ensuring that these policy guidelines reach communities,” Muhindi noted.
The Western Regional Manager at International Justice Mission, Emmanuel Emwamu, explained that the document was developed through a broad consultative process involving different stakeholders.
“This document was developed through a thorough consultative process led by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Gender, Rehabilitation and Disability Affairs. Our focus now is to ensure that the information is widely disseminated so that communities can understand and apply it,” Emwamu said.
Emwamu added that the policy development process was guided by Juliet Bakoko, the Second Deputy Prime Minister of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, who oversees gender, rehabilitation and disability affairs within the Kingdom.
Leaders called upon community members, local leaders, and institutions to actively participate in spreading awareness of the guidelines to ensure safer homes and stronger families across the Rwenzori region.