Women have called upon government to regulate or ban the manufacture and importation of certain sachet-packed alcohol.
As the women marked the International women’s day in Arua, all speakers during the celebrations including the one of the chief guest, the deputy RDC of Arua Abdul Ajiga called on the government to impose a serious ban on some alcoholic drinks in sachets if families are to develop.
According to the speakers many men have now taken to alcohol abuse with little income they get leaving the family to remain in poverty and hunger.
The call from the speakers followed a report by the police family and child protection department in Arua. The report indicated that the district registers at least 200 domestic violence cases per month. Most of the crimes are committed by men under the influence of alcohol.
Christine Debo, the district councillor representing Adumi Sub County, says unregulated consumption of alcohol has weakened the men’s resolve to carry out their responsibilities. The men have usurped their roles to the women and children.
She says some men are now only interested in coming home to impregnate their wives who have become bread winners for the family hence causing more problems.
Florence Driwaru, another woman, argues it is important there is a ban on these alcoholic drinks because men become violent towards their families when drunk.
She recalled for the audience a situation where a man of high status undressed his wife in public under the influence of alcohol in Oluko Sub County.
Baifa Amaga, a councillor representing people with disabilities in Arua municipal council, says the situation is even worse for women with disabilities. She says these women have a harder time defending themselves and their children against abusive men who might not realise the full import of what they are doing. She asked government to empower women with disabilities to defend themselves.
But some of the men including the deputy RDC of Arua Abdul Ajiga did not fully support the idea. Ajiga said the problem of domestic violence could not solely be blamed on alcohol but personal character. He went on to say that families need to sit and plan together to be able to live harmoniously.
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