Violence against children, the voices of Ugandan ... - Raising Voices

Adults’ VoicesA Teacher Against ViolenceA testimonyI was born in a village in a family where my father hadtwo wives. He was a respected man because he hadland. He provided for both families, but me and mybrothers and sisters were afraid of him. He was soharsh. He would beat you for any small mistake.He beat me and shouted at me all the time. If I didn’tdo the housework or did not do my homework or didnot greet somebody properly, he would beat and hewould shout. He was terrible to all my siblings and me.He gave our mother money for food and expenses andsaid that it was no business of hers how he chose todiscipline his children. My mother tried to help us butwhat can she do?All through my school years, I feared everyone andremained quiet and obedient. I tried to avoid troubles.I thought men were just like that and there is nothingI can do. But then when I was 22, I met my nowhusband. He is kind and never shouts. At first I thoughthe was just trying to tempt me, but till now he hasremained like that. Perhaps violence is not about beinga man or a woman but what kind of person you are.We now have two children and at first I used tobeat them and shout at them just like my fatherused to do to me. One day I saw how afraid mydaughter was about everything and I thoughtof how I was when my father used to beat me. Italked to my friend about it and she helped mesee what I was doing to my daughter. I felt sorryand apologized to her. Then I attended a workshopabout children’s rights and learned that it does nothave to be like that. My husband and I talked aboutit and have decided that we will never beat ourchildren the way we were beaten by our parents. Ido not want my children to be afraid of everything,the way I was. We even try to help our neighbour’schildren when they beat them too much.I don’t know if it was the workshop that changedme. I knew in my heart that violence was wrongbecause I know what it feels like. The workshophelped me understand what was in my heart.Now I work at this school where the headmistresshas made a rule that corporal punishment is notallowed. Sometimes it is hard, but I also think it isright. I wish all schools were like ours . . .female, teacher, Apac82 Part Three Adults’ Rationale