Uganda: Zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence

November 26, 2012. As the world commemorates the 16 days of activism under the theme ‘From Peace in the Home to Peace in the world: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against women!,’ Isis‐WICCE in partnership with Lango District Leaders Forum, Women Peace Initiatives Uganda (WOPI‐U), the Norwegian Embassy in Uganda, and Care International, in Uganda, announce this year’s annual Peace Exposition to be held in Lira District during the 16 days of activism, starting from 26th of November to the 1st of December, calling government of Uganda, partners and all Ugandans to respond and prevent Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Uganda, and the Lango sub-region in particular.

Majority of the women in the Lango Sub-region continue to live under systematic abuse, let alone the severe reproductive health complications like fistula, cervical cancer, and prolapse of the uterus, among others. Many of these are as a result of the long years of armed conflict. The available post conflict responses and funding for women’s reproductive health needs is still very minimal.

It is unfortunate that the Peace Recovery Development Plan (PRDP) funds allocated for the survivors of this conflict are being misappropriated and stolen by individuals under the office of the Prime Minister. During the Peace Exposition, women, children and men across Uganda will converge in Lira district to undertake a number of activities including; a Peace March, Cervical Cancer screening, Dialogues and exhibition reflecting the cost of GBV to individuals, communities and the nation at large. Participants will also ask government to ensure the following:

‐ That all misappropriated funds are recovered and culprits be brought to justice
‐ That the management of the PRPD 2 funds serves the affected people
‐ That there is due diligence in ensuring that survivors of violence have access to all basic needs and
justice.

It is not going to be possible for the affected Greater Northern Uganda to register any form of recovery and development when women who form more than half of the population continue to suffer from several health complications and the constant shadow of violence in homes, schools and communities. Isis‐ WICCE and the CSOs Committee in Uganda, on the ICGLR Declaration on Zero tolerance to GBV, and the Lango LCV Forum will also on 29th November 2012, Launch Zero Tolerance to GBV in the Lango sub region, following the National Launch that took place on the 23rd November 2012 in Kampala, as declared by the Heads of States of the Great Lakes Region, during the Kampala ICGRL conference, on 6 December 2011.