ACFODE COMMEMORATES THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST VAW

From the 25th of November to the 10th of December 2011; ACFODE joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 16 Days of Activism against Violence Against Women. This time however, it was not business as usual as a number of innovative approaches were used to raise awareness at the local and national level about violence against women and girls, and how it can be mitigated.

First were the skaters who were clad in white t-shirts with advocacy messages against VAW located on different 6 roundabouts (Clock Tower, Jinja Road, Bwaise, Nateete, Wandegeya and Spear Motors junction) in Kampala distributing information packages on VAW to people in cars, on the streets, shops and in offices on the 25th of November.
Each information pack consisted of a paper bag, fact sheet, ribbon and car sticker.

The packs had information about the causes of VAW, its effects, and info on how it can be prevented/ ended. They also had information that challenged receipts to be actors in preventing/ ending VAW by for instance having respect for women and girls, giving necessary support to survivors, speaking out against VAW, encouraging survivors to break the silence, promoting a culture that fronts the protection of women and girls, and reporting any incidences of VAW to the LC or the Police.

After distributing the packs at about 10 am, the skaters headed for a Road Show that started from Buganda Road Play Grounds, to Game Stores in Lugogo. During the road show, the skaters were holding placards with messages advocating for women and girls’ right so that they too are in position to enjoy a peaceful life. Examples of the messages that were embedded on placards include; act now! stop violence against women and girls, we all have a right to be safe: protect women and girls from violence, and violence against women is a violation of human rights. stop it!

In order to reach a wider audience and sensitize more people on women and girls’ rights, ACFODE launched a National Awareness Media Campaign on VAW on CBS Radio on the 25th of November, with spot ads running throughout the 16 Days, challenging Ugandans to prevent, and end all forms of violence against women and girls in their homes, at the work place and in their communities. In order to reinforce the media campaign further, ACFODE was hosted on CBS’s “Kiiriza Oba Gana” talk show on the 1st of December 2011 (International World Aids Day where Hope Turyasingura (ACFODE Member) and Jane Nakintu (Board Member) discussed in depth VAW dynamics, and also talked about the intersection between HIV/AIDS, and VAW.

At Grass root level (29th November), ACFODE was in Pallisa to launch a local/ grass root campaign for 16 Days. A number of activities that were carried out in Pallisa include; a Public March, an Open Forum, a Football Match, and a Dance themed “Dance out VAW in Pallisa District”. All these aimed at creating awareness and challenging community members to protect women and girls from all forms of violence.

The activities were well attended with representatives from the district, CSO organizations, community, religious and cultural leaders, as well as community members. Pallisa was chosen because apparently, VAW is at its peak in the district with defilement at 80%, followed by rape which is at 60% according to a research carried out by ACFODE in 2009.

And on the 1st of December 2011 (International World Aids Day), ACFODE was hosted on CBS’s “Kiiriza Oba Gana” talk show. Hope Turyasingura (ACFODE Member) and Jane Nakintu (Board Member) discussed VAW dynamics in depth, and also talked about the intersection between HIV/AIDS, and VAW.

Please follow link for an interesting pictorial for all the activities we carried out during our 16 Days of Activism Campaign; https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.291934357509011.59377.175465652489216&type=1#!/photo.php?fbid=291934404175673&set=a.291934357509011.59377.175465652489216&type=3&theater

Sandra Nassali
Public Relations & Communications Officer
Action For Development