Reflection and sustainability meetings for CODERASH Committee members and teachers in Kisoro and Pallisa Districts

From the 6th – 7th and from 19th – 20th April 2011, ACFODE organized reflection and sustainability meetings for CODERASH committees and teachers in Kisoro and Pallisa districts. CODERASH, is combating defilement, rape and sexual harassment. The project aims at enabling women and girls to realize their potential by living a life free from sexualized violence.

Through it, women and girls are empowered to recognize that sexualized violence against them is a violation of their rights and are taught on how to demand for protection from the different duty bearers and to how to ensure that the perpetrators are dealt with as per the laws of Uganda.

The meetings drew participants from various civil society organizations, the government, CODERASH Community Facilitators and school teachers.

The core objectives of the meetings were to reflect on the activities implemented in the previous year 2010, assess progress of the project, highlighting gaps, challenges best practices and share planned activities for 2011. Strategies meant to ensure sustainability of the project gains after the conclusion of the project were also discussed.

Participants were also introduced to a new documentation (reporting format) by ACFODE.
They also appreciated the shared the outcomes of the CODERASH project as highlighted below:
 Children now report when they are sexually abused.
 Cases of school girl dropout have reduced.
 Girls are now aware of their rights because they can report cases of sexual harassment.
 Boys now fear to defile girls due to the massive sensitization done at schools.
 Positive behavior change has been achieved in children because they have gained self esteem; for instance girls don’t easily accept gifts from boys/men in exchange for sex.
 The gap between the school administration and pupils has reduced since pupils freely interact with their teachers.
 Anti-sexual violence clubs have been formed in schools
 The community awareness meetings conducted at sub-county, parish and village levels have improved the relationship between the police and the communities.
 Most people approach the police to report cases now than ever before. Children are also able to report any forms of sexual abuse inflicted on them now.

However, regardless of above achievements, participants noted that there is still need for more sensitization about CODERASH since sexualized violence in all its forms is affects both women and girls.

Among planned activities for 2011 are the Inter School Drama Competition which scheduled for July 2011 with “Enough is enough, stop sexualized violence against school girls and boys” as the main theme.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development