Because Faith in God is a personal and institutional reality in the lives of the majority of the population in Uganda, it is no surprise that religious teaching and affiliation provide a significant context for many as they address experiences of victimization.
Catholic Clergy in partnership with civil society organisations (CSOs) have launched a nationwide drive labeled ‘SASA Faith’ to address discrimination of HIV patients and women violence.
According to the secretary general of the Uganda Episcopal Conference Msgr John Baptist Kauta, fighting violence and discrimination of HIV patients needs patience and a lot of commitment.
It will thus be expected of every religious leader to preach against violence on women and discrimination of HIV positive people in their sermons.
Civil society organisations (CSOs) that include Raising Voices and Trocaire have joined the drive.
“SASA crusade will help to stop the problem before it starts and breaks its connection to HIV. SASA gives an opportunity to challenge misinterpreted scripture,” Ms Doreen Ayebare, the programme officer of Trocaire stated on Tuesday.
CSOs urge that faith communities have the power to prevent violence against women and HIV and change the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to happen.
In the fast-track to end HIV by 2030, the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) released a report last year indicating that roughly one in every eight people living with HIV is being denied health services because of stigma and discrimination.
editor@ugchristiannews.com
