Uganda

: Ugandan woman carrying water

Women in Uganda

Violence against Women:

In Uganda, violence against women is rooted in long-standing patriarchal traditions and is further magnified by decades of conflict. It takes a devastating toll on women’s lives, on their families, and on society as a whole, yet the reality is that violence against women is condoned and often covered up.

• about 59% of Ugandan women aged 15-49 have experience physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in their lifetime and 34% have experience it in the past 12 months.

• 46% have endured marital rape

• 24% of women aged 15 – 49 reported that their first sexual intercourse was forced against their will and of these, half were below the age of 18.

• the injuries that go with violent and coerced sex increase the risk of HIV transmission

• FGM as a harmful traditional practice persists, as does polygamy, widow inheritance and early marriage

Women’s Political and Civil Participation:

In Uganda, local governments have strong cultural gender biases that prevent women’s effective participation in political and public life at various levels. There is a lack of women in leadership roles with adequate skills to promote women’ rights and issues and women have been excluded from formal peace talks and agreements in North and North Eastern Uganda.

High levels of female illiteracy – 39% of Ugandan women aged 15-49 cannot read at all, compared to 16% of men – mean that women are often the least informed about the available welfare and other services and it can be impossible for them to access information about government initiatives that would support them or to articulate their demands within the context of government frameworks.

Womankind’s work in Uganda

Womankind aims to work with partner organisations to promote and improve women’s participation at local and regional level. We aim to develop policies and practices that will improve women’s lives in their regions. Womankind also supports the monitoring and improvement of legislation to tackle violence against women.

Our planned work in Uganda

Work in Uganda will focus around Womankind’s three strategic aims to:

1. End violence against women

2. Increase women’s participation and voice in decision-making

3. Increase resources for women’s rights and development.

Women’s voices

Ugandan women living in fear despite government peace plan

Womankind's partner in Uganda tells us about the challenges women face participating in the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan.

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