Activists Embark On Screening Of Rural Women For Cervical Cancer

A group of women activists operating in Lango region has dedicated this year’s commemoration of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence to promoting maternal health.

During the campaign under the theme “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women!” rural women are going to be screened and later treated for cervical cancer.

 

The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991.

 

Ruth Ojhambo, Executive Director for Isis WICCE, says majority of women in Lango continue to live under systematic abuse, severe reproductive health complications including fistula and cervical cancer.

 

Ojhambo expressed fears that it will not be possible to register any form of recovery when women who form half of the population continue to suffer from severe health complications and live in the shadow of violence in homes.

 

She says a team of medical doctors are already carrying screening exercise among rural women for cervical cancer in all the 8 districts.

During the launch on Thursday at Lira Mayor’s garden, the women will get the chance to meet and ask their local leaders different questions on issues that affect their lives in their community and what they want their leaders to do for them.

 

//Cue in: “the ordinary women …

Cue out: …suffered for too long.”//

 

Alex Oremo A lot, Lira district LCV chief, says the campaign has also been dedicated to promote zero tolerance against gender based violence.

 

Oremo attributed high rate of domestic violence in the district to poverty, and trauma emanating from the war.

 

He says there will also be a peace match to drum support for peace promotion and fight conflict against women.

 

//Cue in: “we shall have …

Cue out: …gender based violence.”//

 

The cervical cancer screening exercise is already on-going and shall end on Thursday November 29th when the commemoration shall be launched.

 

Dorcus Ajok, a resident of Obutuwelo B village, Ojwina Division in Lira town says she is waiting to be screened and treated. Ajok says she is happy she will get to know whether she has the infection or not.

 

The cervical cancer screening exercise is already on-going and shall end on Thursday on 29th November when the commemoration shall be launched.