A section of opposition women MPs has asked the government to establish more shelters for victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with a focus on women and girls who are particularly vulnerable to the vice.

The Shadow Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development Fortunate Nantongo stated that shelters should be established in all districts of the country so that female victims of gender-based violence can find refuge. This was said in the joint International Women’s Day message released on March 8, 2024.

According to Nantongo, the government should empower the child and family protection unit under the police with safe spaces for women who are prone to gender-based violence.

“The government should put up shelters to rehabilitate women who have become victims of gender-based violence,” Nantongo said.

However, she stated that the standard of already existing GBV centers is lacking, adding that the government should rehabilitate these centers by putting up skills training centers that can equip women so they can partake in activities that bring income once they leave the shelters.

Nantongo further believes that this will lessen the burden on the 13 shelters currently available in the whole country.