Reducing cases of domestic violence in Kamuli

Reduce cases of domestic violence by increasing awareness in a rural district of Uganda.

Why we care: Cases of domestic violence continue to rise, and many women believe it should be accepted and endured.

How we're solving this: Engaging population through sports, music and drama to raise awareness on domestic violence

In Uganda, some 60% of women reported having been battered by their spouses in 2009. Cases of domestic violence continue to be on the increase and in some instances resulting in death. Many women in rural areas are yet unaware that domestic violence is a crime punishable by law. Many believe domestic violence is a cultural norm to be accepted and endured: victims suffer in silence and often never report, perpetrators go unpunished and the cycle of violence continues to the next generation.

Youth Alive Uganda/Man Up Campaign is a local non-governmental, citizens lead organization, that has started an awareness campaign to reduce Domestic Violence in the Kamuli district - a rural area where prevalence is high. The project's coordinator is James Byarugaba, a Ugandan youth who attended a Young Leader's Summit in 2010, Johannesburg, South Africa, organised by Man Up Campaign. Man Up Campaign continues to support the work of Youth Alive Uganda/Man Up Campaign in their efforts to reduce Domestic Violence, especially violence against women and girls in Uganda.

Target population: rural women and men, boys and girls in and out of school. They also hope to continue engaging community leaders inclusive of religious and cultural leaders.

Main program strategy: engage population through sports, music and drama to raise awareness on Domestic Violence

Project goal: To reduce cases of domestic violence among 10,000 people through increasing awareness on the causes and effects in Kamuli district by December 2013

Objectives:

1. Increase local leaders participation and involvement in stopping violence against women;
2. Increase awareness on the causes and effects of domestic violence as well as knowledge on women rights, consequences of violation, where to report and go for help;
3. Reduce cases of domestic violence in families as well as violence among teens dating;
4. Enhance community partnerships and collaborations for collective efforts in stopping violence against women;
5. Improve referral system for victims  of violence against women

Planned activities:

1. Stake holders & partnership meetings
2. Training of trainers
3. Music dance and drama outreach and festival
4. Sports outreach and sports gala
5. Married couple workshops
6. Home visits
7. Community based video shows
8. Production of Information education and communication materials