Busia County Director for Medical Services Dr. Janerose Ambuchi has advised the local residents to ensure that victims of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) are always taken to nearby health facilities for medical examination and preservation of evidence after an incident.
Speaking during a forum to mark the 16 Days of Gender Based Violence Activism in Butula Sub County, Ambuchi noted that most perpetrators of SGBV are set free due to lack of evidence.
“The victim of SGBV should be taken to the health facility without any kind of interference,” she said adding that they should neither bathe nor change their clothing before medical examination.
She further said that such victims should be taken for medication within 72 hours so that they can be administered with ARVs.
“In case the victims are women of reproductive age, we will give them drugs that prevent pregnancy,” she said, adding that they will also undergo psychological counseling.
The official at the same time said that cases of SGBV in the County stood at 15 percent against the national average of 13 percent in 2023.
“Bunyala Sub County recorded 90 SGBV cases, Butula 162 cases, Matayos 54 cases, Nambale 80 cases, Samia 53 cases, Teso Central 47 cases and Teso North 123 cases, while Teso South had only six cases reported in the health facilities,” she said.
Dr. Ambuchi further urged the local residents to register with SHA so that they can easily access healthcare services.
Butula Deputy County Commissioner, Joseph Kimutai advised the local residents against settling SGBV cases at home.
Kimutai urged the DPPs office and the Judiciary to fasttrack SGBV cases so that victims receive justice.
He blamed drug and substance abuse on the rising cases of rape and defilement within the County.
“We can blame poverty on domestic violence, but the issue of youth raping the elderly and defiling little children can only be attributed to drug abuse,” he argued.
The official advised the local residents to use alternative ways of solving family disputes instead of resorting to violence.
The Director of Rural Education and Empowerment (REEP), Mary Makokha said that most cases of SGBV in Butula Sub County are reported due to sensitization by the organization.
Makokha stated some children under her custody were defiled by high profile politicians who are threatening the victims.
“How can we make such leaders accountable if they can organize for suspects to escape the criminal justice system?” she asked.
She further said that the County was becoming more violent yet the community feared reporting such culprits.
“As people of Busia, we must value the lives of our children especially the girl child,” she said.
Makokha urged the Judiciary not to be fast in dismissing SGBV cases where suspects have disappeared adding that such could be crafty plans to make the cases flop.
“Sometimes when the victims disappear, arrest the parents until he/she is produced,” she suggested adding that money exchanges hands so that justice is evaded.
She further explained that wife battering is a criminal offence and there is nothing domestic about it.
“For men who are beaten by their wives, do not keep quiet or commit suicide,” she advised.
The official also advised partners not to stay in abusive marriages but instead move out for a peaceful life.
“Within the past three months, Busia has lost 97 women,” she said adding that femicide cases must be taken seriously.
The forum brought together the National Government Administrative Officers, the security team and judicial officers to engage on SGBV.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
