GEDA- Uganda asked to embrace partnerships and explore innovative approaches for joint action against VAC and GBV in Kasese

Gender Environment and Development Action (GEDA –Uganda) has been asked to embrace partnerships for joint action against VAC and GBV. This message was delivered by Kasese District stakeholders at a scientific breakfast inception meeting organized by GEDA-Uganda to introduce the project titled; creating mass awareness to mitigate and respond to VAC and GBV during COVID-19 lock down in Kasese District with funding from Fr Roose Fund. The inception meeting attended by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the District Education Officer (DEO), Police in charge of Child and Family, GEDA-Uganda Board chairperson, the principal Community Development Officer – Kasese Municipality, UGANET, Rwenzori Women Forum, the District Probation Officer, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) among others made a strong appeal to GEDA_ Uganda to explore innovative approaches to mitigate and respond to Violence Against Children(VAC) and Gender Based violence(GBV).

This appeal comes at a time when Kasese and Uganda as a whole is experiencing a rise in VAC and GBV cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kasese District has one of highest child marriages in Uganda and the district has the youngest mother in the country at 11 years. VAC and GBV are notorious virus that require unique appraoch to achieve desired change in Kasese District; said the District Education Officer- Kasese District.  He noted that the partnership between GEDA-Uganda and Rwenzori women forum was key in the fight against VAC in Kasese District and Karangura Sub-county in Kabarole since the early marriage vice seemed common amongst the Bakonzo in the mountainous areas. Annet Kobusinge from UGANET  asked GEDA to involve the cultural institutions in its work to fight the negative traditional practices of marrying off young girls below 18 years of age in Kasese and pledged cooperation with GEDA in the implementation of the project activities since UGANET had similar activities.

 

The participants also noted with concern that men and boys have been left out in GBV programming and interventions yet they are equally affected.  In response Rev.Fr Dr. Paddy, the board chairperson GEDA- Uganda assured the participants that GEDA-Uganda was an action oriented and dynamic organization committed to delivering a holistic approach to mitigate and respond to Violence against Children, Women and girls, boys and men.

During the inception meeting GEDA-Uganda made presentation about the objectives of the project, the targeted beneficiaries, the plan activities and budget. The participants applauded GEDA- Uganda for organizing the inception meeting and pledged their commitment and support in the implementation of the project.

From the inception meeting actions were agreed upon and key among them were; integration of messages on mitigation and response to VAC in the teaching programs on radio during COVID-19 lock down for schools. GEDA was to follow up with the District Education officer. Jointly advocate for the integration of VAC and GBV mitigation and response in the work plans for the COVID- 19 task force and district disaster committee. In addition, Link with other partners to strengthen the existing referral path way and engage cultural and religious leaders in the fight against early marriages vice in Kasese District.

TOGETHER WE CAN STEP WITH REFUGEES

On this 20th day of June 2020, Gender- Environment and Development Action Uganda (GEDA-Uganda) would like to join the rest of the World to commemorate the World Refugee Day under the theme “Every Action counts,everyone can make a difference”. According to UNHCR  (May 2020) Uganda is hosting  1,424,373 refugees  51.7% females, 58.8% below 18 years and 2.5% elderly 60+ years. This World refugee day comes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and as the world and cities went into lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus, the mass efforts to save lives have put one vulnerable group more at risk. Development and humanitarian programs that support women, girls and other vulnerable groups have been disrupted, although their needs may have amplified.

Refugees in Uganda have since April 2020 received 30% cut in food assistance due to limited funding to the great lakes region. This is likely to force households to engage in negative coping mechanisms, such as consuming less food. Where women eat last and least, this may lead to additional Maternal, Infant and child malnutrition amongst the refugees.

In addition, Women and girls’ needs for protection services—including gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) may have increased due to the COVID-19 lock down yet GBV is still rampant amongst refugees with women, girls and PSNs being most at risk, pressure for households to meet the basic needs during and post COVID-19 lock period with no or limited alternative livelihood options is likely to escalate Gender-Based Violence. A protection needs assessment conducted by APEAL consortium in January 2020 revealed that vulnerable refugees rely on negative coping mechanisms with most reported in Kyaka II refugee settlement in Uganda being exploitative casual labour reported by 63.5% of respondents; sale of food and NFI assistance (57.9%), Begging (56.7%), Child labour (49%) and Seek out for intimate/love relationship (24%).

Therefore, GEDA- Uganda would like to appeal to individuals, Organisations, UN agencies and the international community to Step up action for the plight of the refugees amidst the glaring effects of COVID-19 pandemic.  Together we can make a difference in the lives of millions of refugees world over.

 

GEDA Uganda continues to fulfill her mandate

Since the May 2020 floods in Kasese District that saw major rivers burst their banks destroying property worth millions of shillings, several displaced persons have remained in camps that were established at different schools premises by the District Authorities.

Several households in Maliba, Kilembe, Kitholhu, Kyarumba sub counties, Nyamwamba Division and other areas of the District were most affected as they saw their houses, property, being washed away by the rivers that broke their banks. Since then most of these households have been surviving on donations from different compassionate organisations that have managed to deliver food stuffs, tauplines, clothings among others.

The floods came amidst the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in the country causing a double tragedy to the people of Kasese District.

During this period, there has also been a big cry and call especially among the women and girls of reproductive age that have found it hard accessing sanitary pads during their menstrual period times. This is one of the health concerns across all the IDP camps in the District.

Gender-Environment and Development Action yesterday afternoon joined the cause and delivered some boxes of sanitary pads to the IDPs in Kanyangeya parish. Gender sensitivity is one of our core areas of intervention. Speaking to the leaders and citizens in the IDP Margret Kidima the Director humanitarian, protection and emergency GEDA Uganda consoled the floods victims and gave them a ray of hope that GEDA Uganda was going to start training the women in the making of re-usable sanitary pads for sustainability purposes. The training is going to target 30 women and young girls who will be given start up kits after the training to be TOTs to the rest of the women in the IDP camp.

Margret Handing over the sanitary pads to the women in Kanyangeya.

The women in the Kanyangeya IDP showed their appreciation to GEDA Uganda for the provision of sanitary pads and promised to cooperate during the trainings in the make of reusable sanitary pads.

As Gender-Environment and Development Action we continue to preach the gospel of gender equity and equality and GBV prevention and promise to continue working with different stakeholders to combat gender based violence and Violence Against Children (VAC).