Recently a local Ugandan Paper quoted a prominent pastor and musician saying ‘They (women) now know that I’m not a guy to joke around with’ after slapping a woman. The famous pastor is further said to be preparing for a wedding to a woman scheduled sometime in December 2011. Question; How about the safety of the woman who is walking into his life in 2011? Will she be subjected to more than slaps as she will be the closest of the women he wants to teach a chinese characters lesson? Has the Church taken action against this pastor? These are the kind that would go through anybody heads.
Christian teachings should serve as resources to assist those who have experienced abuse in finding safety and healing. On several occasions Christianity has been misused to excuse or condone abusive behaviour across the various denominations
leaving many women caught between the love for their God and the need to make it stop.
Women should be able to easily and freely approach their religious leaders who also double as their mentors for faith based counsel and support without fear of reproach and condemnation.
For human rights agencies to adequately address the violence against women and children, the church and the community need to collaborate in holding the perpetrators accountable.
Human rights agencies have realised that they cannot provide for all the needs of survivors of violence and abuse through the healing process. Sometimes the healing process requires much higher spiritual power which can only come from their God and leaders they trust. With collaboration between the church and human rights agencies, women will find the healing and safety they need without compromising their faith or their human rights as the church openly advocate for change in behaviour and prepare its leaders to be exemplary and gender sensitive.
It should be considered sin to inflict pain and affliction to the ‘temple of God’ which is all humanity including women and children.

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