The Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, has warned Acholi men on the dangers of misusing their masculinity and cultural norms to mistreat women and girls.

According to Rwot Acana, stability of every home in terms of food and health depends on women, because they work very hard, while most men assume only supervisory roles.

“Since we let women perform most domestic chores, why do we treat them harshly? Why don’t we empower them?, he asked, adding that the Acholi culture does not tolerate mistreatment of women. That is why during wars, they were not hurt, but protected.”

He made the remarks on Monday at Paicho Sub-County in Gulu District while distributing reusable pads to girls of Paicho Primary and Secondary schools at a subsidised rate.

“Why is it that when you go to work or study outside your district, you cook for your selves but at home, you don’t want to help your mothers and sisters? If you can collect firewood for making bon-fire, why don’t you fetch some water for cooking”? he asked.

Rwot Acana also asked parents to invest more in the girl-child education.

“When a girl is promoted to Primary Five, her performance in school starts to drop, because men start looking at her as marriage material.

Education is the key to life. So if you want to give life to your children, why do you choose who should go to school and who should not?, he asked.

The function was organised by Community Action Fund for Women in Africa (CAFWA), an NGO supporting girl child education in Gulu District.

The director of CAFWA, Ms Linda Cole, said they are offering pads at a subsidised price so that vulnerable girls can also afford them and stay in school.

“It is very difficult for many girls. We do not give handouts, we are giving out the pads at subsidised prices so that parents can contribute a token to their child’s education,” she said.

“We hope that the contribution made by CAFWA, will go a long way in keeping girls in schools,” she added.