CACs Trained in Basic Counselling and Community Led Advocacy

In order to enhance Community Agents of Change (CACs)’s understanding of the concept of counseling so that they are in position to support GBV survivors in their local communities, ACFODE, with support from the Open Society Institute facilitated a training workshop in the sub counties of Loro and Kamdini in Oyam district.

The workshop, which also sought to equip participants with knowledge and skills on community led advocacy, lobbying and networking took place from the 16th – the 21st of April 2012 at the White House Hotel.

The training was informed by a Needs Assessment that was conducted at the beginning of the project in February this year. Some of the topics that were discussed include; definitions and importances of counseling, counseling general rules, appropriate areas for counseling, the needs of an abuse survivor, attitudes in counseling, and communication skills in counseling. Under advocacy and networking, their definitions and benefits were discussed with participants. Outcomes from the training.

Participants welcomed the appropriate selection of topics because of their application to their day to day activities in the communities. For instance, many of them revealed that by the nature of their work, they received a number of GBV cases but had very little to offer.
As such, ACFODE was commended for the training. Below is a highlight of what some of them had to say;

- According to the CFPU Loro police station Ms. Ketty Grace Okao, the training content is so relevant to her work as she states “In my office of CFPU, I feel the training has enhanced my skills that I will be able to handle and counsel on family issues effectively”

- Betty Ejang a F.A.L Supervisor and representative of a woman’s group acknowledged that she has gained new insights and skills in handling fellow women who suffer abuse in her community.

- Patrick Ebong an LC1 Chairperson- Agulurude remarked, “The training is going to make us more vigilant in our communities. Personally I have learnt how to handle domestic violence victims unlike before where I would make mistakes such as welcoming and treating visitors from my home. Now I have learnt that I can refer survivors after counseling other than offer them mere sympathy”.

- Lilly Niiye an LC2 Chairperson remarked “I am so pleased. I have been equipped with communication skills and have now become competent to handle issue in my community”

The training also unearthed the fact that in as much as several attempts have been made towards responding to, and preventing GBV in the local communities, the survivors continue to suffer the psycho social effects of the abuse which do not allow them to function normally in their respective communities.

Following the training, participants expect more robust approaches with positive results whiel counseling GBV survivors, and lobbying for zero tolerance of GBV.

Compiled by Sandra Nassali & Maggie Ssebunya

Action For Development