Charles Opira, a family man who is now campaigning to end gender violence. © CARE / Jenny Matthews.The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (25 November – 10 December) are key dates for CARE in Uganda. Their Voices Against Violence campaign aims to increase protection from sexual and gender based violence for women from the conflict-affected north of the country.
Charles Opira, 38, is married with 7 children, and lives in Pader district, northern Uganda. He is a member of a CARE Savings and Loans groups, and campaigns for an end to gender-based violence.
This is his story.
"I am involved in a CARE Savings and Loans project called Akwoki Cinga, which means “I work with my hands”. We contribute money weekly to save for our families’ needs. Through the group we’ve been trained in business skills.
"Through the group we’ve also been sensitised on gender-based violence. Now I’m an activist, I talk to men in my community about their behaviour, and encourage them to live like real men in their homes – without violence.
"The conflict in my country caused a lot of poverty and led to a big problem of people not trusting each other; the trust completely broke down. This led to an increase in violence generally, and violence against women in their homes.
"It is very difficult to change the minds of some men, especially concerning women’s rights. They are slow to change. But some men are willing to listen and change, and that gives me hope.
"I am hopeful that men are going to change, because they will see men like me, who are standing up against violence, as a sort of role model, and then change their ways.
"The Voices Against Violence campaign is so important because people are starting to protect their rights, and the rights of their families. Also, men and women are starting to plan their families together.
"I feel very strongly that this type of intervention needs to continue because it is transforming people’s lives. More men need to be sensitised and join groups – this will reduce violence against women.”
