UN agencies join fight against GBV in Uganda

The UN Population Fund and UN Women have signed an agreement to implement the Joint Programme on Gender-Based Violence in Uganda.

The joint programme will be funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda, the five-year USD 28,750,000 million (SEK 250 million) programme will support interventions to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, with integration of sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in hard- to- reach and vulnerable populations.

Speaking to journalist during the signing of the agreement, the Swedish ambassador to Uganda Per Lindgärde said , We are very pleased to work with the government of Uganda, UNFPA, and UN women and partners to find ways to prevent and combat gender based violence in Uganda , we are very proudly committing more funds for this cause through this five year joint program me on gender based violence integrating SRHR in Uganda that will be implemented by UNFPA and UN Women," says the Swedish ambassador.

He added that,"Since I arrived in Uganda, in October 2016, I have dedicated much time to gender equality and fight against violence against women. We cannot allow violence and fear to stand in the way of making Uganda prosper and develop."

In the same line the UNFPA representative Alain Sibenalar highlighted that gender based violence undermines the health, dignity, security and autonomy of survivors. The physical and mental health consequences are substantial and contribute, both directly and indirectly to many negative health outcomes among women and their children. Effects on their sexual and reproductive health are also severe including forced and unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and trauma fistulas and sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

For the last decades, Sweden has been a large donor to Uganda focusing on democracy and human rights, gender, health and SRHR and economic empowerment.