During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the country, emphasis has been placed on empowering women, who are often seen as the most vulnerable individuals and remain victims of harmful practices.
Civil societies are vigilant in promoting women’s and girls’ rights, but they often focus less on the male gender. While advocating for equal rights, they reportedly overlook the idea of “equal wrongs” in communities.
Ms. Alice Namugwana, the director of Total Love Africa, a nonprofit organization empowering young people, voiced concerns about women who take pride in torturing their husbands at home.
“We are here fighting for our rights, but some of our colleagues are boasting about torturing their husbands at home because they feel they cannot report it to anyone,” Ms. Namugwana said on Thursday, December 12, 2024, while presiding over the celebrations of the 16 Days of Activism organized by the Rape Hurts Foundation (RHF) at its headquarters in Mpumudde village, Jinja city.
The celebrations, which were held under the theme “Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” featured several young girls and women, who highlighted the dangers of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), especially rape.
At the event, at least 50 survivors of SGBV graduated from RHF after completing one year of skills training in tailoring, hairdressing, baking, entrepreneurship, and more. These graduates were women and at-risk young girls empowered in socio-economic development. This free education at RHF aims to combat poverty, a key driver of GBV in communities.
Ms. Namugwana elaborated on the importance of uplifting women but emphasized that empowerment should not be used as a reason to undermine men, especially when women have money at home.
“Utilize the skills you have gained to change your families and lives, and encourage others to embrace this education, because it is so important for women to bring something to the table,” she said.
Ms. Hellen Lunkuse, the Executive Director of the Rape Hurts Foundation, stated that the 16 Days of Activism has addressed key issues in combating GBV and encouraged women to take the lead in saying “no” to such acts.
“Let us use these days to raise the flag. Let us say no to these acts,” she said.
Ms. Lunkuse condemned rape, stating that it is never the victim’s fault. She called for shifting the blame onto the perpetrators and holding them accountable.
“Rape is a crime, not a moral failing. Let’s work together to change societal attitudes, support survivors, and prevent rape. We can make a difference, one step at a time,” she added.
Rape Hurts Foundation is a non-governmental organization that offers emergency response services to cases of violence against women and children, especially SGBV and trafficking in persons (TIP).
In addition to carrying out community sensitization campaigns about GBV, TIP, human rights, women’s and children’s rights, and climate change, RHF provides education and skills training for underprivileged and at-risk children and SGBV survivors.
Rebecca Kagoya, a resident of Mpumudde Market Zone A in Mpumudde, is one of the graduates who gained significant knowledge in tailoring. She said she was inspired to enroll in the course after her husband belittled her for not contributing to their family.
“He (her husband) asked me what I could add to him. This disturbed me a lot. He used to belittle me, and I had to think otherwise,” Kagoya said, expressing her determination to now be an empowered woman earning money through tailoring.
She urged fellow women to stop sitting at home, emphasizing that “Even if they sit at home, nothing will come. For me, I can now run my family even if my husband is not around.”
RHF envisions a world where women and children are self-aware, realize their full potential, have their rights protected, and have access to socio-economic opportunities within their communities.
The organization aims to empower women to initiate and manage their socio-economic development processes through strengthening human rights protection, awareness, healthcare, community participation, advocacy, and service promotion.
Shamina Shaiga, a Senior Two student at Jinja Secondary School, also graduated in tailoring. The 15-year-old girl joined the course during her Primary Seven vacation, and her experience in fashion design is shaping her future.
“I can do anything in fashion. My mother bought me a sewing machine, and I am working while studying,” she said, adding that her dream is to advance in baking.
It is worth noting that these short courses are certified by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT)
