Locations16 days of Activism 2024: Lighting the Candle Amidst crises
November 26, 2024
Christine Chepokaptul, at her home in Kiri subcounty, Amudat district.
Amudat district, in Uganda’s Karamoja region continues to grapple with numerous gender-based violence cases. The Uganda Demographic Health Survey of 2016 revealed that 51% of women aged 15-49 in the region had experienced physical violence. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics also reports that physical violence among women and girls aged 10-59 is highest in Amudat at 31%, and sexual violence among women and girls aged 10-59 is also highest in Amudat at 12% in 2022.
This region, bordering Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia, is also plagued by cross border conflicts. These conflicts make women and girls particularly vulnerable, increasing their risk of losing access to education, employment opportunities and other freedoms. In times of conflict, women are often marginalized, neglected or worse. Yet, they are crucial to building stable and prosperous societies.
Christine Chepokaptul, is a resident of this community and a survivor of gender-based violence, received support from the European Union and United Nations Spotlight Initiative (EU-UN Spotlight Initiative). This initiative sensitized both women and men in her community about Gender Based Violence and its societal implications. By sharing her experiences, she aims to change mindsets of women and men in similar situations and strive for a world where women are aware of their human rights for sustainable peace and development to prevail.
I even did not know what gender-based violence is. My husband used to beat me so much, and he even did not allow me to make my money peacefully, every time I tried to make a small income, I had to bring the proceeds to him. At times I was beaten so hard leaving scars on me, you can see them. But when I received the training from UNDP, I learnt that women have rights too, we got to know that as women we have human rights, and they need to be protected. We also learnt vital skills like saving, livelihood options like poultry and farming and now most of us are able to pay school fees for our children. And even our men were trained on the dangers of alcohol abuse.Christine Chepuk, Survivor of Gender Based Violence.
Some common vices such as alcohol and substance abuse by most of the men in communities is a big catalyst to gender-based violence. Many development strategies targeting elimination of gender gaps should include major steps in tackling such abuses if we are to realize a world free of violence and respect for human rights.
It is during these 16 Days of Activism that we remind ourselves that violence against women and girls is not inevitable but preventable.
The clock is ticking towards 2030 and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We urgently need action at all levels, hold perpetrators accountable, and invest in solutions to protect women and girls everywhere.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the EU-UN global Spotlight Initiative aims to eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls like Christine. In addition to trainings, we have constructed a Gender Based Violence Shelter in partnership with the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office in Uganda and our aim is to accommodate victims of gender-based violence in the Amudat community at the times they most need it.
By Joel Akena, Communications and Partnerships Associate