Abstract Title of Dissertation: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN POLICY AND PRACTICE IN UGANDA — PROMOTING JUSTICE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF PATRIARCHY Diane Ruth Gardsbane, Doctor of Philosophy, 2016 Dissertation directed by: Dr. Judith Noemi Freidenberg, Department of Anthropology The goal of this study was to understand how and whether policy and practice relating to violence against women in Uganda, especially Uganda’s Domestic Violence Act of 2010, have had an effect on women’s beliefs and practices, as well as on support and justice for women who experience abuse by their male partners. Research used multi-sited ethnography at transnational, national, and local levels to understand the context that affects what policies are developed, how they are implemented, and how, and whether, women benefit from these. Ethnography within a local community situated global and national dynamics within the lives of women. Women who experience VAW within their intimate partnerships in Uganda confront a political economy that undermines their access to justice, even as a women’s rights agenda is working to develop and implement laws, policies, and interventions that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. This dissertation provides insights into the daily struggles of women who try to utilize policy that challenges duty bearers, in part because it is a new law, but also because it conflicts with the structural patriarchy that is engrained in Ugandan society. Two explanatory models were developed. One explains factors relating to a woman’s decision to seek support or to report domestic violence. The second explains why women do and do not report DV. Among the findings is that a woman is most likely to report abuse under the following circumstances: 1) her own, or her children’s survival (physical or economic) is severely threatened; 2) she experiences severe physical abuse; or, 3) she needs financial support for her children. Research highlights three supportive factors for women who persist in reporting DV. These are: 1) the presence of an “advocate” or support 2) belief that reporting will be helpful; and, 3) lack of interest in returning to the relationship. This dissertation speaks to the role that anthropologists can play in a multi- disciplinary approach to a complex issue. This role is understanding – deeply and holistically; and, articulating knowledge generated locally that provides connections between what happens at global, national and local levels. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN POLICYAND PRACTICE IN UGANDA — PROMOTING JUSTICE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF PATRIARCHY By Diane Ruth Gardsbane Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate in Anthropology 2016 Advisory Committee: Professor Judith Noemi Freidenberg, Chair Professor Lynn A. Bolles Professor Janet Chernela Dr. Sheila Dauer Professor Sangeetha Madhavan Professor Michael Paolisso © Copyright by Diane Ruth Gardsbane 2016 Dedication With love to Paul Sully, my life partner of 35 years, who sacrificed the most, and supported me throughout In memory of my parents, Hyman and Salome Gardsbane, who inspired lifelong learning and the pursuit of social justice, and who would have been proud With love to my daughters and their partners, Alicia & Pedro, Naomi & Peter and, to Gray Jacob, my precious first grandchild (“muzukulu”) To my sisters and their families, Karen, Bob, Zena and Hagen & Arlene and Miriam, for their support throughout, and understanding when I couldn’t be present ii Acknowledgements This dissertation was I want to expt deepest appreciation and gratitude I acknowledge the following: My academic advisors, who inspired, taught me, and mentored me throughout the years: Judith Noemi Freidenberg, PhD, advisor, and committee chair My dissertation committee: Lynn A. Bolles, PhD; Janet Chernela, PhD, Sheila Dauer, PhD; Sangeetha Madhavan, PhD; Michael Paolisso, PhD Paul Bukuluki, PhD, Makerere University The community of “Kyegwelede,” especially the women and community leaders, who embraced my interest in their lives, and who gave me their time and their deepest thoughts on topics that are not always easy to discuss. My neighbors, friends and research assistants in Kyegwelede, who guided me throughout. The Center for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (CEDOVIP), which acted as my reflective partner, and whose staff assisted me in my research in countless ways. Raising Voices for collaboration and support throughout. The many Government actors, Members of Parliament, activists, fellow researchers, civil society organizations, and UN actors who gave me their time and insights. My friends, extended family, and colleagues in the US who supported me throughout the PhD process. iii Table of Contents List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix List of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................... x Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Overview ......................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of Study ............................................................................................................. 2 Problem Statement – Violence against Women .............................................................. 3 VAW in Uganda .......................................................................................................... 4 Terminology ................................................................................................................ 5 A Global Issue ............................................................................................................. 6 Why Uganda? .................................................................................................................. 9 Guiding Questions and Assumptions ............................................................................ 10 Introduction to Research Sites....................................................................................... 12 Confidentiality and Anonymity ..................................................................................... 13 Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework ................................................................................... 14 Prologue ........................................................................................................................ 14 Rita’s Story ................................................................................................................ 14 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 18 Anthropological Literature on GBV: An Overview ...................................................... 19 Political Economy of Violence Against Women Policy and Practice ....................... 21 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................. 24 The Body, Power, and Structural Violence ............................................................... 25 Practice, Performance, Embodiment, and Habitus .................................................... 27 Patriarchy ................................................................................................................... 30 Political Economy of VAW in Uganda: An Introduction ............................................. 34 Limitations ................................................................................................................. 35 Chapter 3: Methodology: Doing Multi-sited Urban Ethnography .................................... 37 Prologue ........................................................................................................................ 37 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 38 Multi-sited Ethnography – Rationale and Approach..................................................... 39 Research Phases - Overview ...................................................................................... 41 An “Engaged” Approach ........................................................................................... 41 Collaborative Relationships ................................................................................... 43 Data Collection .............................................................................................................. 47 iv Data Collection - Phase I in Multiple Sites ............................................................... 47 Data Collection - Phase II in Kyegwelede Village .................................................... 51 Selecting a Local Community ................................................................................ 51 Research Site: Kyegwelede Village ....................................................................... 53 Conducting Ethnography in Kyegwelede .............................................................. 56 Sample.................................................................................................................... 63 Age ....................................................................................................................