WGEF’s toll free is connecting survivors to safety and services!

COVID-19 not only is creating a global health emergency, it is creating a Gender Based Violence (GBV) emergency for women across the globe. As cases increase in Uganda, the emotional, physical and mental toll is untenable facilitating dangerous situations for women sheltering in place with their abusers. Women are experiencing increased extreme forms of violence.

Many GBV service providers are not physically reachable because of restrictions caused by COVID-19, WGEF has deployed our peer counsellors who use the toll free hotline to conduct tele-counseling services and referrals with the District Task Force.

“Every day, I receive more than 30 cases that need urgent help, counseling and other services. Many have been stigmatized because they are suspected to be in contacts with some of unfortunate individuals confirmed and battling COVID-19” – says Prisca

Through our toll-free line hosted at Gulu Women’s Resource Center, survivors are virtually linked to service providers for support including psychosocial, legal and medical services. Service providers include FIDA, Action Aid, as well as the Uganda Police Child and Family Protection Unit.

WGEF provides sanitary pads to 16 schools across northern Uganda – to keep girls in school longer and healthier!

The pursuit of gender justice starts with protecting young girls from being forced or sold into a marriage. Child marriage is a  violation of human rights. Through education, support, intervention and dialogue, WGEF’s highly trained and respected Access to Justice team was able to intervene and provide the family alternatives to change the trajectory of Innocent’s future. She is now back in school,  enabling her right to education, pursuing her dreams and determining her own future without fear or coercion.

Click the play button below to listen to the full audio interview.

Rose Ataro, aged 23, is a member of Pitek Ki mon Group and is married with two children. The biggest challenge in her home before joining WGEF program was gender based violence. “My house was not a home to live in,” Rose says. She felt inadequate to confront her husband, and access the justice she was entitled to.

When her husband would return home each day, they would quarrel on almost every issue, creating contention and danger. Rose’s husband stopped her from participating in any economic activity or joining any saving group. She had given up on autonomy, dignity and freedom. However, things changed when they both attended WGEF’s gender training which provides important  information and resources of where and who to turn to in our community for support when facing violence and communication challenges.

Rose’s husband listened to the testimonies of other men who were peacefully living with their wives and was inspired to change his behavior and improve his relationship with Rose. This brought important changes in their home, including less violence, joint decision making, and the space for Rose to participate in her community.

Rose has since started rearing goats and has increased the number to 20 goats. She currently buys and sells rice, and has been able to save money and buy important household items, including a bed, mattress, chairs and curtains.

Recently, when their daughter was sick, Rose’s husband asked for time off from school to join Rose at hospital where their daughter was admitted.  Now Rose and her husband are co-parenting and working together in important ways.

“I feel confident and I have a voice in my family, constantly when I’m challenged I call a toll free line provided by WGEF for instant advice and support”

“Thank you WGEF for providing women like me knowledge and resources to access justice.  I hope this program be expanded to reach more women in my community”.
— Rose Ataro (Nwoya District)