The 16 days of activism against Gender-Based
The 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that starts on 25th November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women and runs up to 10th December with the human rights day. Orange the world: End Violence against Women Now was the theme for 2021. Mbale Network of Young People Living with HIV/AIDS-MNYPA as a dynamic youth-led and serving organization, we joined the rest of the world to add a voice against harmful practices that limit the full potential of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in society. For MNYPA, 16 Days of Activism started with activation activity that included a dialogue meeting supported by Uganda Youth and Adolescent Health Forum-UYAHF with major stakeholders in the district and this brought together the Gender-Based Violence Focal Person, Resident District Commissioner, Family Protection Unit of Uganda Police, Political Leaders, Adolescent Girls and Young Women, youth representative under the Eastern Youth Network on SRHR/HIV/GBV and Civil society organizations. During the dialogue, Young mothers raised the issues including lack of knowledge on how to report GBV cases, sometimes they are asked money for examination in case of sexual violence. Young mothers requested the government and civil society organizations working in Mbale city and Mbale city to work together and establish a GBV Safe House to house victims of GBV as they wait for the judicial process, and as they go through psycho-social support. The Resident District Commissioner pledged to be a champion of ending Violence against women and promised to strengthen GBV service delivery. He also shared a contact people should call in case they asked for money while accessing health services in public facilities. The Probation officer and GBV focal person asked civil society organizations around GBV to document and share reports with District to facilitate planning. MNYPA joined Mbale district local government and Mbale City Authority to plan for World Day on 1st December 2021. The HIV Focal Person Mr. Wandwasi Robert called upon health partners in the district to plan for world AIDS day and this included Baylor-Uganda, TASO Uganda, MNYPA, UYAHF, UNASO, Rhites- E among others. MNYPA took lead on the role of mobilization and coordinating Young people to take part in pre- activities that included city cleaning, radio talk shows, blood donation, and others. With support from UNASO, we mobilize Young people to massively come out and know their HIV status, encourage those on treatment to adhere to support attainment of suppressed viral load that will directly contribute to contributing UNAIDS 95 95 95 Goals.
