Surviving Gender Based Violence During COVID-19

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.