56% of women from age 15 to 29 years have experienced physical violence and 28 percent of women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime -Latest Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). Western Uganda (Ankole) has the second highest rate of violence against women at 58% . That means that more than half of Ugandan women have been abused at home, Hospital, school, or at work. Despite progressive legislation, women continue to suffer violence and this violence is not reported.
Unfortunately, the government and the donor community lack an accurate account of the violations that marginalized women face where, when, by who and how evidence can be captured for appropriate action.
To ensure marginalized women at the grassroots are able to enjoy their rights as envisaged in the progressive laws, EPHWOR is employing citizen journalism tool to report on violence against marginalized women and girls.
When we get anough support, we plan to train Selected women as citizen journalists to document and share experiences of women rights violations in both public and private places.
The stories will help us in advocacy activities around gender equality, train duty bearers about the rights of women, lobby government for policy change and to investigate complaints raised by trained citizen journalists (complaints uploaded via EPHWOR’s website) and provide support to the victims through litigation and enforcement . Other support will include; medical, Psychosocial , material assistance and Support through vocational skills training so that they can be economically independent.
See Some of the stories we have captured and our interventions in addressing the challenges faced by the victims and survivors of violence against Women.
STORY 1:
In our bid to help teenage mothers and those forced to get married early, our paths crossed with the one Niweabine Anabella, a young girl that was defiled and got pregnant at the age of 16, now at 18yrs she leaves alone and is a mother. The news of her pregnancy did not turn out well for her and her family, as she was chased away from home and her estranged boyfriend who had promised her love and a good family also abandoned her, leaving the young girl with no support. She later sought shelter at her auntie’s home and other relatives until she gave birth, with things not working out well either. So she decided to fend for herself and look for a job. She moved to Kabwohe town but it was not easy to get a job with a child. She decided to move to “Toninyira” (every town has a place called Toninyira a place with cheap food, crowded with low class individuals). She used her last bit of money to start cooking food for the low class citizens that live in town). Business is not good when you’re cooking for individuals who also don’t have money and you have a child’s responsibility, rent and other needs of life. Life is hard she narrated. We blame all this on ignorance and men that lie to the young girls and abandon them thereafter.
STORY 1 FOLLOW UP
Annabella’s life was yet to be changed when the EPHWOR team heard her story and decided to intervene in her life and render as much help as they could. EPHWOR took this upon itself to help Anabella, improve her life and well being through providing her with both material support and training in Tailoring at Mbarara Skilling Youth Initiative. We provided her a place to stay by paying rent for her and tuition at the institute was also cleared. Right now she is underway finishing the course and believes that her life is changing for the best.
She is currently training and hopes that soon she will complete her studies and start her own business in sewing and kitenge wear. She wants to work had to provide for her young daughter all that she needs and also take her to school.
Amidst all the hardships she has gone through, she has become an influencer of many through advocating for the girl child education and creating awareness about the dangers of teenage pregnancy.
She appreciates EPHWOR for the tremendous work they have done in her life and wants her daughter to study and not go through what she experienced as a teenage mother. She advises girls to stay in school for they have a bright future ahead of them when they study and avoid boy girl relations at a tender age.
Follow the story of Annabella as she enrolls for Vocational Training.
STORY 2:
In this story, we bring you Ainembabazi Claire aged 14 from Sheema who was defiled twice, infected with Hiv/AIDs. She has two children now, with no support at all. Click to watch the life she goes through.
STORY 3:
STORY 4:
Perpetrators of violence Against Women must be held accountable.
See the reasons why perpetrators of rape and defilement find it easy to repeat the same crimes over and over again! We must change this narrative.
Perpetrators of violence against Women exploit the loopholes in the system to get away with their crimes. This is the reason why they have done it over and over again and they still believe they can do it again and walk freely.
As for us, We shall not keep quiet. Perpetrators of violence must be held accountable.
We shall make the necessary noise using citizen media until there is change.
Watch the major factors that have led to rampant and recurrent violations of women/girls rights in Uganda today.
STORY 5:
EPHWOR’s full Press Conference on defective Life guard Condoms features on NBS Television.
Following the recall of Life Guard Condoms batch 19040205 and 19050105, EPHWOR has led a law suit against Marie Stopes Uganda due to medical negligence they portrayed.
Many complaints have been raised by individuals that used the defective Life guard condoms.Some of them have contracted the deadly HIV/AIDS among other STDs.
Watch the recent press conference broadcasted by NBS TV.
STORY 6:
EPHWOR’s full Press Conference on defective Life guard Condoms features on UBC Television.
Following the recall of Life Guard Condoms batch 19040205 and 19050105, EPHWOR has led a law suit against Marie Stopes Uganda due to medical negligence they portrayed.
Many complaints have been raised by individuals that used the defective Life guard condoms.Some of them have contracted the deadly HIV/AIDS among other STDs.
Watch the recent press conference broadcasted by UBC TV.
EPHWOR JOINS CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT COVID -19
EPHWOR joined a campaign to fight COVID – 19.Through our media platforms, we will continue to sensitize the public about COVID – 19 and the impact it causes on human rights enjoyment and observance. We will also continue to report any human rights violation during this scourge.
Watch some of the stories we have for you during the fight aginst COCID – 19.