Last updated: July 2020
The Ugandan authorities have introduced a number of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 including restricted movements and curfew.
Violence against women and girls
- There is concern that Ugandan police are abusing their power to strip rights from LGBT+ people. In March 19 LGBT+ people were arrested following a raid on a LGBT+ shelter, and charged with breach of lockdown rules. They were held for over 50 days before charges were dropped. There have also been reports of violence from police against women and girls.Following the raid of the LGBTIQ homeless shelter in Uganda damages have been awarded for police violating their rights.
Women’s economic rights
- 80% of women across Uganda rely on day-to-day informal labour to support their families. There is a worry that these women cannot survive sustained lockdown measures as they have no savings, resources, or land to support themselves.
Womankind partner response
Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa is closely monitoring worrying trends in the region which illustrate the potential for governments to use the COVID-19 outbreak as an excuse or a cover for abuses of power.
Freedom and Roam Uganda is raising funds to provide the most essential services for LBQ women in Uganda including menstrual hygiene products.
National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda is using media opportunities to highlight the experiences for women with disabilities. Government guidelines are not inclusive and women with disabilities are unable to access information about COVID-19 and the lockdown. There have been cases of those with disabilities penalised for not adhering to public health restrictions despite not being able to access information about the restrictions. Incidence of violence against women with with disabilities has increased three fold during the pandemic period to date.
Women’s International Peace Centre have started a podcast series. Refugee women living in Nyumanzi and Bidibidi settlements in Uganda share what has changed in their lives since COVID-19 was first confirmed in Uganda and how they are coping with all the Coronavirus related measures within the settlements.
Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention is continuing to advocate for change and has published, ‘A crisis within a crisis: Urgent call to Invest in systemic interventions to address domestic violence during and after the COVID-19 pandemic,’
Women’s rights organisations already work in difficult conditions with limited funding making it even harder for them to quickly adapt to this crisis. Our support can make a difference. Help us to support our partner organisations during these unprecedented times. Donate to our COVID-19 Resilience Fund here.
