Africa: Fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Northern Uganda
Efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence in the conflict ridden northern Uganda have received a boost with the commencement this month of a joint project of the Government of Uganda, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
NEWS RELEASE
Fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Northern Uganda gets Support
Kampala; Friday, September 27, 2006 – Efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence in the conflict ridden northern Uganda have received a boost with the commencement this month of a joint project of the Government of Uganda, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The pilot phase of the longer term project is worth USD 750,000 and is aimed at contributing to the creation of an environment that enables girls, boys and women in conflict and post-conflict districts realize their rights to protection from sexual violence and exploitation, and related HIV/AIDS, both in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) and in the return areas.
“The dynamics of violent conflict, internal displacement, cultural practices and extreme poverty have rendered women and girls extremely vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence from within the intimacy of the household, within the local communities and by conflicting parties to the conflict,” the joint partnership agreement asserts.
Despite the notable achievements and progress on women’s rights in decision-making and response to SGBV and HIV/AIDS in Uganda, not enough attention is paid to the violations of the rights of women in northern Uganda both at a policy and programming level.
In this regard, UNIFEM is urging the parties to the on-going Juba Peace Talks on northern Uganda to place at the centre, issues of women’s rights to protection and women’s participation in defining how their rights can be protected.
“This is the spirit of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 of 2000,” says Ms. Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, UNIFEM Regional Programme Director in East Africa. “Only with peace in northern Uganda can women and their children have security and space to contribute to their nation.”
Ms Jane Mpagi, Director for Gender in the Ugandan Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, echoed these sentiments earlier, following her visit to Opit IDP camp in Gulu and to an IDP return area in Abunga sub-county in Lira district in the company of the UNIFEM Chief of Africa, Ms Micheline Ravololonarisoa. She noted that the country has policies and legislation for women’s rights protection, but these must be translated to the realities of the day-to-day life of women in northern Uganda.
The joint initiative on sexual and gender-based violence is part of the UN development assistance support to Uganda. Sida (Swedish International Development Aid) and the Government of Norway have provided more financial support through their Great Lakes Initiative.
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Issued by:
UNIFEM Uganda Office
For further information, please contact:
Signe Allimadi ([email protected])
Programme Manager,Communications Officer
UNIFEM, Uganda, UNDP Uganda
15B Clement Hill Road
P.O. Box 7184, Kampala
Tel: 041-233440/1/2/5
Fax: 041-344801
Or Simon Omoding ([email protected]
15B Clement Hill Road
P.O. Box 7184, Kampala
Tel: 041-233440/1/2/5
Fax: 041-344801