United Nations
Development Programme

Plot 15B Clement Hill Road

P.O Box 7184

Kampala, Uganda

Tel: (256) 414-233440/1/2/5

Fax: (256) 414-344801

Email: registry.ug@undp.org

Background

Northern Uganda is beginning to emerge from a protracted civil war marked by high levels of internal displacement. As the humanitarian challenges brought about by this war diminish, an urgent need exists for early recovery strategies that ensure the region’s successful transition to peaceful and sustained development.

Including women in the creation of a security and development framework suitable for peacetime is an important means to ensure that early recovery interventions advance the promotion of gender equality, as advocated in SCR1325 (2000).

The violence of the past 20 years has halted the advancement of women, and has challenged Uganda’s capacity to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It has also challenged the achievement of the goals set in Uganda’s poverty reduction strategy (the PEAP), most specifically under Pillar III (Security, Conflict Resolution and Disaster Management) and Pillar V (Human Development).

Due to the dynamics of violent conflict, internal displacement, cultural practices, and extreme poverty in the crisis affected regions of the north, women and girls there are extremely vulnerable to sexual and gender based violence (SGBV). Men and boys also exhibit multiple types of anti-social behaviour and have become socialized to see violence as an acceptable expression of the frustration accompanying long-term displacement. SGBV is perpetrated in the intimacy of the household, within local communities, and by the parties to the conflict (both insurgents and UPDF).

It has a corresponding effect on the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the region, which is higher than the rest of the country. As the peace process advances, there is a clear need to reduce SGBV in order to enhance the human security of the population and create conditions conducive to sustainable reconciliation, peace and development.

Development objectives

The overall goal of the SGBV project is to contribute to human security and promote conditions for recovery and development. The immediate goal of the SGBV project is to create a strong basis for interventions to address SGBV. This will contribute to the creation of a protective environment that supports the rights of girls, boys and women in war affected or post-conflict districts to protection from sexual violence, sexual exploitation, and other gender based forms of violence. A cross cutting objective is to mainstream HIV/AIDS prevention and response into all SGBV prevention initiatives.

Key activites & expected results

Activites in this project are centered around three aspects:

• promoting women's participation in peace and security matters, including SGBV prevention
• enhancing capacities for better prevention and response to SGBV
• ensuring effective and efficient implementation of the SGBV Project

Implementation phase

Implementation started in July 2007 with the national launch of the project in Northern Uganda.

Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

rose.ssebatindira@undp.org