Equal Voices, Equal Rights project seeks to challenge and deconstruct socio-cultural, political and economic barriers that hinder the ability of married women to realise their full potential in Pakwach Town Council. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a serious issue in Uganda as a whole but more pronounced in rural areas.

According to the Ministry of Gender, labour and social developments, more women (39%) have suffered effects of GBV as compared to men (11%). This is even more prevalent in marriage (62%). The common forms of GBV in Pakwach district include defilement, assault, rape, threats of violence, child neglect, and deprivation of property, widow inheritance, forced marital sex and forced early marriage. These are primarily fuelled by the patriarchal mindset of our society which has led to the power imbalance between males and females.

The project envisions increased partnership and collaboration with all key stakeholders to address GBV, community leaders trained and supporting advocacy against GBV, a platform created to enable quarterly or bi-annual dialogue on GBV with all stakeholders, improved referral and support for survivors and collective action planning for better GBV prevention.

JOYODI addressed GBV in the community through Sensitization of the rural community members on the causes, effects and consequences of GBV and held dialogue meetings on land and property rights, harmful traditional practices that promote GBV and economic empowerment for women and girls. Through Voice funding, JOYODI was also able to train 100 young girls and women on entrepreneurial skills with a special focus on the qualities of a good entrepreneur, factors that determine business success, sources of business capital, loan management and possible Income Generating Activities within Pakwach town. In total, the project reached 1,308 beneficiaries hence exceeding the planned target of 1,200.  

The training of girls and women on economic empowerment has helped many to start and manage their own businesses.  Several young girls and women testify about the benefits of the GBV awareness and economic empowerment activities in their lives.  

I am Akello Jane 48 year’s old. I separated with my husband 16 years ago after our marriage that had lasted for 20 years. It all started when I lost my job as a nursing aid because I no longer met the required qualification, my husband who was a peasant farmer had looked at me as a bread winner for the family, abandoned me with the children and picked on another woman who would look after him, he became so violent towards me and the children as well, he chased us out of his home, ordered me to leave every belonging including even my clothes with the claim that I got those things while with him, which I did since I am a mere woman and has got no strength to argue with men. I left his home and went back to my parents’ home in Pacego but from there the situation was so challenging since my parents looked at me as a burden to them. I had to leave Pacego and relocate to Kamana B village where I am renting now. I thought of opening up a drug shop since I already had experience in the same field, after a few months of Operation, National Drug Authority also closed up my shop since I was not qualified. I became hopeless since I never had any new business idea. Thanks to voice through JOYODI who invited me to attend a two-day entrepreneurship training. I later on started up a small business dealing in plastics which I feel is doing well, because of its available market within where I am operating together with my good customer care and nice display of my product, I feel the business is worth it. I am happy now because I can support my children very well, pay fees for my daughter in Uganda College of Commerce Prakash pursuing A diploma in business administration, I have bought a small plot of land which I am planning to construct a house and give my children a home.

The work of JOYODI has brought transformation in the Packwach community. Men who participated in the program began to appreciate the value of girls and women. There is improved knowledge about the causes, effects and consequences of GBV; the cases of domestic violence especially in the form of wife beating among the married couple are declining steadily. The community is also aware and confident to embrace available government economic programs within the community such as Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP), Youth Livelihood Program (YLP), Community Demand Driven (CDD), NUSSAF3, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) been through sensitization. Through close collaboration with the Sub County Community Development Officers, they are able to tap into these opportunities.  The community is also slowly changing their attitude towards giving land and other valuable property to women and girls and women too have begun demanding for land and other valuable property that rightfully belong to them and elders are recognizing it. JOYODI was also able to open a desk for handling GBV cases and creating referral to police and other service providers.