ACFODE Launches a New Project to Promote Positive Socio-Cultural Practices in Apac District

ACFODE, with support from the Swedish Cooperative Centre (SCC) a non-profit organisation that offers support to self-help development initiatives, cooperatives, farmers' organisations and informal groups in developing countries, has rolled out a project titled “Strengthening Formal and Informal Institutions to Promote Gender Responsive Social Cultures in Uganda.”

The one-year pilot project, which will be conducted in Apac district in northern Uganda, will seek to engage leaders from both formal and informal institutions as well as communities in the promotion, establishment and application of gender responsive social cultural practices which facilitate gender equality.

Despite the fact that Uganda has made significant progress in eliminating discrimination against women and girls through the enactment of gender sensitive laws such as; the constitution, the Domestic Violence Act and the Child Protection Act, as well as the ratification of international protocols like the Maputo Protocol, CEDAW and ICGLR, the vice largely continues to persist. Coupled with a general lack of awareness among duty bearers about the related laws as well as the absence of effective mechanisms for the enforcement of such laws, their effective enforcement within communities remains a challenge. 

The new project will therefore employ a fresh perspective on the intervention, which will focus on highlighting the importance of boys and men as champions in the elimination of negative socio-cultural practices which promote violence against women. The premise of the project's focus is the fact that a balanced society is one in which both male and female actors are aware of each other's worth and equally respect each other.

Working alongside partners in the east African community, that is, GROOTS and Men for Gender Equality Now (MENGEN) in Kenya and Tanzania women lawyers association (TAWLA) in Tanzania, the project will utilize innovative methods of intervention with the different stakeholders in the communities in Apac district.  

ACFODE therefore calls upon all citizens of Uganda to work together in order to achieve a society where male champions for gender equality can successfully lead the way in the development of a national movement that appreciates the capacities, potential and rights of women and girls.

Compiled by:

Nancy Nandudu

Public Relations and Communications Officer

Action For Development (ACFODE)

ACFODE Intra University Debates Move to South Western Uganda

In its campaign to empower young people with skills in discussing topical issues on good governance and democracy, ACFODE in partnership with Konrad Adaneur Stiftung (KAS) conducted intra university debate competitions in Kabale University. The two-day activities that aimed to select a representative for the western region at the national inter university debate championships in Kampala kicked off with a debate training workshop for the students on April 6^th 2013.

Under the theme, "Youth Spearheading gender equality and good governance in Uganda," the training workshop targeted students from various faculties, including; Arts, Social Sciences and Education with lessons in gender and gender roles, emphasizing the need for promotion of equity for the sake of sustainable gender equality. Professor Aggrey Yesigomwe from the department of Development Studies at Kabale University, who led the participatory session, remarked on the ideal type of gender equality that women strive for, in an effort to differentiate between gender equality and equity. 

The training session on good governance and democracy, which preceded an introduction to the British Parliamentary debate format, focused on developing the students' awareness of the concepts of human rights, privileges and obligations of stakeholders in the practice of democracy and the consequential achievement of good methods of governance.

Some of the contentious questions raised during these highly participatory sessions included matters of discriminative gender roles, the misuse of affirmative action for women as well as the rising marginalization of men in gender discussions.

The workshop was crowned with a trial debate in which the students utilized their newly learned skills in the British Parliamentary format of debate to argue the motion, "This house would abolish the women's seat in parliament." The mock debates were held in preparation for debate competitions, to be held on 7^th April.

Compiled by:

Nancy Nandudu

Public Relations and Communications Officer

Action For Development

Acfode Strengthens The Capacity Of Kisoro District Stakeholders In The Fight Against Sexualized Violence

ACFODE with support from EIRENE carried out an annual self assessment workshop and process monitoring session in Kisoro district from March 18^th to 21^st 2013 with the aim of strengthening its project on the prevention of sexualized violence against women and girls in Kisoro district. The project is being implemented in Nyarusiza, Nyakabande, Busanza and Kirundo subcounties of Kisoro district.

The one day workshop, which was part of the monitoring framework to ensure sustainability and build strong networks in the district saw 60 stakeholders in the district come together and deliberate on sexual violence issues and how the project procedure can be improved in the district.

The proceedings generated feedback from stakeholders in the community project. For instance, the Asst. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Ms Rita Byirinbiro expressed gratitude for ACFODE's project interventions, stressing the need for other actors to unite and play their roles so as to ensure the project is a success. It was also noted that ACFODE is one of the longest serving partners in the district and has therefore been responsible for a large percentage of the current political, social and economic change in the area.

The District Community Liason Officer Mr. Ben Wenamanya highlighted the availability of free counseling services for victims of sexual violence available through the ACFODE offices, as well as easily accessible referral system for reporting sexual violence cases via the ACFODE Community Facilitators (CFs).

In addition, the Sub County Chief of Nyakabande emphasized the support of several re;event Community Based Organizations through ACFODE's work. For instance, Kichwumbi Community Development Association, which supports young girls to become economically independent.

The positive impact of the Combating Defilement, Rape and Sexual Harassment (CODERASH) committees was also affirmed through visits to the local communities, which were more aware of sexual violence through their regular dialogues and interaction with the ACFODE CFs, who are also part of the local communities.

A total number of 120 CFs have been trained in the four sub counties and, with support from the ACFODE field office, they are able to sensitize communities on sexual violence, reproductive health and economic empowerment and also refer Gender Based Violence cases to relevant authorities.

The communication channels used in dissemination of ACFODE information were also monitored in order to determine their impact and relevance in the project implementation. With only two local radio stations; Kisoro FM and Voice of Muhabura FM, ACFODE's sensitization messages on sexual violence in communities have been largely welcomed, which was evidenced by the fact that 4 people out of 10 in any given community have listened to these talk shows.

Overall, local authorities, including the district LCV Chair Person pledged to offer more support to ACFODE to ensure that the marked reduction in sexual violence in the district since the beginning of the project continues. This has been a big milestone for ACFODE as an organization in the district, in regard to the fight against sexual violence.

Compiled by:

Andrew Ssekirevu

Programme Assistant

Gender and Economic Policy Department

Action For Development

Mock Debate Session Starts off Gulu Intra-University Debate Competitions

The Gulu university intra-university debate competitions kicked off in high gear on 23^rd February with a mock debate between the different faculties. The mock debate was preceded by a debate training session in which students were introduced to concepts of gender, good governance and the British parliamentary debate system. The four sessions aimed to equip the young men and women with deeper understanding of gender equality and good governance, while providing them with a forum in which to discuss their understanding of the concepts amongst their peers with eloquent, cohesive arguments.

Students exchanging views during the mock debate

As a result of the sessions, the students were inspired to think outside the box concerning gender, with a number of critical questions being raised in that regard.  Interest was particularly piqued in regard to the extent of the effects of a patriarchal society on gender equality, with some questioning the agenda of the women's movement in eroding some protective mechanisms that are enshrined in a patriarchal system allegedly to protect women. For instance, exclusion from direct armed combat.

According to one student, the discussion was an eye opener for her. She sad, "It's up to us to take the responsibility to recognize that because society has been conducting things one way, it doesn't have to be the same forever, it is up to us to accept it and change ourselves before we can be able to inspire other people in the communities to change."

Challenged to go head-to-head in a mock debate, students from eight departments formed four opposing teams to argue the motion: "This house would abolish the woman seat in parliament." The rich debate widened the students' scope of understanding in regard to gender, and boosted their confidence for the final qualifier competitions to be held on 24^th February. The four winning teams will represent Gulu University at the 2013 ACFODE Inter University Debates.

For more updates on the Gulu intra university debates, as well as a pictorial of the on-going events, click here.

You can also follow the debate proceedings on our website at: www.acfode.org 

Compiled by:

Nancy Nandudu

Public Relations and Communications Officer

Action For Development (ACFODE)

ACFODE Strengthens Her Campaign to End Sexualized Violence in Kisoro

ACFODE with support from EIRENE successfully introduced the newly amended police forms (3, 3A and 24A) as well as a streamlined system of SGBV case documentation in Kisoro district. This occurred from the 28^th-31^st January 2013 during training sessions for newly commissioned community facilitators held in Kirundo and Nyarusiza sub counties, which have recently been added to the organization's target area in their campaign to end Sexualized Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

Hope Turyasingura, an ACFODE member explaining the 

amended police form to the participants 

The new strategy will see community facilitators use simple, exhaustive "Case Management Forms" to effectively capture and update cases of sexualized violence within their communities of influence. This move is aimed at partnering with local authorities' to boost their recording systems and ensure more effective monitoring and resolution of the incidence of SGBV in the district, which will better inform and increase the effectiveness of future advocacy campaigns against SGBV in the area.

The trainings attracted 60 community facilitators and other stakeholders such as law enforcement officers, health workers and local political figures and featured trainings in the areas of SGBV, human rights and forms of justice.

Participants scrutinizing the new case manangement form

Through sessions that aimed at strengthening the capacity of community facilitators to collaborate with both the SGBV survivors and the duty bearers mandated to resolve their cases, the team was empowered to support the victims in their communities through the effective use of the justice system.  

The community facilitators were able to construct viable action plans for community sensitization and handling of SGBV cases through their different Combating Defilement, Rape and Sexual Harassment (CODERASH) committees.

Compiled by 

Andrew Ssekirevu

Gender and Economic Policy Department

ACFODE Life Skills Training In Kisoro District Enlightens Women and Girls on Gender and Gender Roles

From the 11^th to the 14^th of December 2012, ACFODE carried out Life Skills training sessions in Kisoro district, at sub county level. The trainings were based on the premise that women and girls are usually the victims of different forms of violence ranging from direct physical aggression through beatings, rape, defilement, forced and early marriages, to emotional violence, which usually manifests through paternal refusal to pay school fees, denial of paternity to a child, and eviction from home, among others.

The trainings targeted varied categories of young women in the community, including head girls of schools, female youth leaders and child mothers with the aim of empowering them to be able to cope adequately within their different spheres in society by raising awareness on gender and gender roles, as well as equipping them with relevant economic skills.

A cross section of participants in Busanza Sub County making 

re-usable sanitary pads during a training session

The participants, who came from 37 different villages in Busanza and Nyakabande sub-counties, were taken through sessions to furnish them with deeper understanding of the concept of gender and gender roles. These sessions brought to light the fact that girls in the district generally carry a heavier work load and do not enjoy the same privileges and rights as their male counter parts.

As a result of the sessions, the participants were able to highlight unfair, stereotypical gender roles in their communities that are 'man-made' and can therefore be revised in favor of women and girls.

The diverse interactions also highlighted the pertinent need for awareness about HIV/AIDS and skills development among the women in the community. Participants were also equipped with skills in making reusable sanitary pads.

The women and girls in both villages were also encouraged by their leadership, to adopt safer mechanisms for their domestic practices and to be more confident in their interactions in society in order to achieve their desired goals. Ms. Ntakirutimana Christine, the Sub County Chief of Nyakabande said in her speech, ‘One has to speak with her head held high so that people understand and believe in what she says. Females are lucky that they are easily trusted so we, the women, need to utilize that opportunity.’

ACFODE DELIVERS A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE FEMALE INMATES OF LUZIRA PRISONS

Action for Development (ACFODE), an indigenous, voluntary, non-governmental women’s organization with support from EIRENE paid a visit to Luzira women's prison on 14^th December 14, 2012. The visit, which was part of the broader theme for the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, aimed at promoting solidarity for harmonious existence and peace by connecting with the female inmates through the sharing of in-kind donations and a verbal message of hope.

ACFODE Chair Person Gertrude Ssekabira hands over donations to some of the female inmates at Luzira prisons

In collaboration with various women leaders, human and women right activists, corporate companies, representatives from civil society and development partners, ACFODE donated a number of basic necessities to the female inmates, including; bathing/washing soap, sanitary pads, cotton wool, and toilet tissue, toothpaste, teeth brushes and Vaseline among others..

Backed by the statutes in gender sensitive laws such as "The Prisons Act 2006" which outlines the rights and privileges of female prison inmates to special care for their specific reproductive needs, for instance, the right to healthier meals for pregnant and breast feeding female inmates, the visit further sought to challenge the current dire circumstances faced by Uganda's female prison inmates who live in overwhelmingly poor conditions, and also lack basic necessities. 

A Representative from Mukwano Group of Companies handing over some of their donations to the female inmates

The donations, which were handed over to the inmates by the ACFODE Chair Person Gertrude Ssekabira, Executive Director Regina Bafaki and partner organization representatives were warmly received by the prison ward who remarked that the gifts received were timely and relevant to their needs. She added that, "These are the women inmates; some of them are guilty, some of them are innocent, but they are all reformed."

A message of hope was also delivered to the inmates by Ms. Betty Byanyima, a women's rights activist, who urged the inmates to be optimistic about their future, take advantage of their opportunities while in prison to further their education and skills, and be a source of positive energy to those around them. She said, "You should go back to school within the prison or learn some new economic skills from each other so that when the time comes for you to go back into society, you can make a positive difference."

The ladies drew further encouragement from the ACFODE Chair Person, who emphasized in her speech that each of the women inmates deserved and would be given a second chance to correct all their past mistakes. She urged the women to seek peace while in their current situation for the sake of societal improvement, saying "when you give peace to a woman, you give peace to her children, her family and to the nation."

Members of the delegation carrying some of the donations to the vehicle before departure

In light of the successful interactive activity, ACFODE has gained better insight into the magnitude of the needs of the female inmates at Luzira prisons, and therefore calls on the government of Uganda to:

• Fulfill international commitments government has made by ratifying different regional and international conventions such as The UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (2010) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (2008), which outline the rights of women prisoners.
• Operationalize the specific needs of the women prisoners stipulated in the Uganda Prisons Act 2006.
•  Step up funding for the national prisons budget to ensure conditions consistent with international standards set in the UN Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners, and provide sufficient provision for female prisoners' special reproductive needs.
• Implement commitments made in existing legislative measures that protect the lives of people especially the vulnerable like women; for instance The Domestic Violence Act 3 (2010), Penal Code amendments prohibiting defilement of girls and boys (2007), and the Equal Opportunities Commission Act (2007).

 We also call upon the Uganda Prisons System to: 

• Implement the sections that uphold the special reproductive needs of female     prisoners, enshrined in policies such as; The Prisons Act 2006.
• Ensure access to prenatal, postnatal, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services and address the nutritional needs of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. 

 We call upon women leaders, human and women right activists, representatives from civil     society, media and other key stakeholders to:

• Spearhead advocacy efforts against abuse of female prisoners, and provide support to supplement on the existing government efforts.
• Lobby for the provision of legal services to the vulnerable who are prone to fall victim to the fallible legal system, winding up in jail without genuine cause.
• Popularize the Prisons Act 2006 with more emphasis on the provisions that promote the well-being of women prisoners in Uganda.