Joyce Namugambe
Church of Uganda’s Inter-Faith Action for Gender and economic Justice Project has been commended for contributing to the reduction of gender-based violence cases in the Teso sub region.
The project whose primary focus has been to enhance the capacity of interfaith leaders for prevention, response and advocacy for gender and economic justice is being implemented in Kumi Diocese covering Kumi, Bukedea and Ngora Districts and West Buganda Diocese covering Lwengo, Mbirizi, Rakai, Sembabule and Lyantonde Districts.
Speaking in a meeting with interfaith leaders at St Stephen’s Church of Uganda in Kumi town on 2nd November 2023, Sheikh Abdul Wahab Kauta, the Kadhi of Kumi Moslem District commended the Church of Uganda for implementing this project that has restored peace in homes.
“Before this project, there were high GBV cases in this region. These have now reduced because Church of Uganda decided to invite us and other religions to work together to bring peace in homes. This has also greatly contributed to social economic transformation of many homes in this area.” Sheikh Wahab said.
He added, that his project by Church of Uganda has a huge benefit in addressing poverty as one of the root causes of gender-based violence while providing vulnerable women and girls with sustainable livelihood and basic economic security. As the Islamic faith, we commend Church of Uganda for taking the lead in this sphere.”
The Bishop of Kumi Diocese Rt Rev Michael Okwi Esarkan, said that the success of this project is largely because all religions decided to come together to fight GBV.
“Poverty has no religion neither is domestic violence. When I invited my brothers and sisters from other faiths to join me in this fight, they gladly accepted. We are in this war together and we shall win it” Bishop Esarkan said.
The Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, Rev Canon William Ongeng who led the management team from the Provincial Secretariat for support supervision in Kumi Diocese, noted that combatting gender based violence is in line with Church of Uganda’s Master Strategic Plan.
“Church of Uganda envisions stable families, working collaboratively to transform societies. That’s why we are working with leaders of other faiths to fight GBV. I am glad to learn of the success stories from this project.” Canon Ongeng said.
He tasked the Directorate of Household and Community Transformation to develop a project on peace and conflict resolution to complement the gender and economic justice project.
Rev. Andrew Agaba, the Director of Household and Community Transformation noted that the overarching aim of the intervention is to create a community free from violence where gender inequality is no longer a barrier to the well-being of women, girls, men, and boys.
“To realize the goal and objectives of this project, we trained and strengthened the capacity of interfaith leaders and structures in creating awareness and advocacy. Faith leaders and structures have been instrumental in advocating for gender justice through their spaces such as pulpits, wedding ceremonies, social media, radio, television and several other spaces.” Rev Agaba said.
The Program officer for Gender and Social Justice, Mr. Denis Ogwang said that the intervention trained male champions as agents of change to challenge negative social cultural norms and beliefs including patriarchy which increases women’s vulnerability to gender based injustices.
“Male champions have been holding constructive dialogues and community conversation on what it means to be a man using the ‘First Man standing’ to model the life of Jesus Christ and his qualities of kindness, respect, gentleness and loving without discrimination. Their engagement is helping to promote transformative masculinity in the targeted communities.” Mr. Ogwang said.
Ogwang further noted that, to enhance economic justice, the project provided essential financial support of 12 million UGX seed capital to 12 Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) groups in Kumi Diocese which significantly transformed the households of group members and increased their savings.
Amuge Zaituna, the Chairperson of Kachede Al-Haki Group in Bukedea District whose group is one of the VSLA groups, said, the project has enhanced economic opportunities to them and empowered women and girls by creating income-generating opportunities thereby reducing their vulnerability to gender-based violence.
“Al-Haki Group received One Million Uganda Shillings from the project to finance our business proposal. We are 9 families, now with five goats, three turkeys, eight guinea fowls, 10 sheep, chicken and our money has grown to two million. We are a role model group in this project” Zaituna said.
