Domestic Violence and Its Impacts on Women’s Rights in Uganda: A Case Study of Northern and Eastern Uganda

ABSTRACT

This paper sought to investigate the impact of domestic violence on women’s rights, a case study of eastern and northern Uganda, to wit chapter one covers the general introduction and background, chapter two covers the literature reviewed ,chapter three covers the methodology used for the research, chapter four covers the data findings presentation ,analysis and interpretation and finally chapter five which embodies the discuss ion recommendations and conclusion. The extent, validity and reliability of the data available are critical in determining the magnitude of the problem and in identifying priority areas for intervention. Prevalence studies with samples of representative populations are relatively new in developing countries such as Uganda. Such studies were initially conducted in industrialized countries — the United States, Canada, and Europe. For example. one veiy influential survey conducted in Canada in 1993 under the auspices of the Canadian government was developed in consultation with women’s organizations and ensured adequate support and services for women participating in the survey. When designing research on violence against women, it is important that the research itself does not put women at risk. Most of the data available on violence against women are believed to be not only conservative, but unreliable. Studies vary in the sample size of women chosen, and the ways in which questions have been posed. It is difficult to compare these studies because of inconsistency in the definition of domestic violence and in the parameters used, which can range from physical abuse alone, to physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Debate regarding the magnitude of the problem is also clouded by the fact that domestic violence is a crime that is under recorded and under-reported. When women file a report or seek treatment, they may have to contend with police and health care officials who have not been trained to respond adequately or to keep consistent records. On the other hand, shame, fear of reprisal, lack of information about legal rights, lack of confidence in, or fear of, the legal system, and the legal costs involved make women reluctant to report incidents of violence. The research is therefore based on the above.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page

One INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 7

Purpose of the Study 8

Research Objectives 9

Research Questions 9

Hypothesis 9

Scope 9

Significance of the Study 10

Operational Definitions of Key Terms xi

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE -

Introduction 11

Causes of domestic violence 11

Impact of domestic violence 16

Measures put in place 27

Three METHODOLOGY

Research Design 43

Research Population 43

Sample Size 44

Sampling Procedure 44

Research Instrument 44

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 47

Data Gathering Procedures 44

Data Analysis 48

Limitations of the Study 47

Four PRESENTAflON, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRFFAflUN

OF DATA 58

Ave FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMt4ENDAflONS

FindIngs 51

Conclusions 60

RecommendatiOns 62

References 78

AppendIces 85

Appendbc I - - Research Instruments