Schoolgirls face abduction and forced marriages

In Uganda, in one of the poorest parts of the region, Karamoja, schoolgirls face forced sec and abduction. It is very dangerous to walk to school in the north east region of Uganda. Marriage can begin with a man abducting a women, raping her, and keeping her captive. Many girls going to school become targets. 

Alany, a young Karamojong woman, says that “courtship rape” is a common place. Many of the women who do get married are survivors and this stems from the culture of how men believe they have a right to rape women as a sign of affection or expression of interest. Families have also been known to held aid in the abduction. 

Alice Nakiru who was 20 when a she experienced such heinous acts says that a family friend broke into her home and abducted her, taking her to his home and repeatedly raped her. She states “ Everyone gets married like that, even the policemen you would report to also took a women and made her his wife by force.” 

There have been many acts to fight against the immense amount of agony and hardship that these women face. School is a place that is safe for a girl to attend. There is more encouragement for parents to send their children to schools where they can be safe and be given food. Speaking out and spreading the word against these practices is essential to change the taboo ways of thinking and remains silent. 

Karina Tapia 

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/sep/28/kidnapped-and-forced-to-marry-their-rapist-ending-courtship-in-uganda