The MTR from 2022 has provided us with a good view of where the program stands and what has been achieved so far. Below are a few highlights of the results reported.
Through the UN Joint Program on GBV in Uganda, integrating SRHR, Sweden takes a holistic approach to GBV and cover all four pillars prevention, legal justice & accountability, integrated services, and community behavior & social norms. The programme is also strengthening coordination, learning and innovation for elimination of GBV and realization of SRHR for women, girls, boys and men. Ministry of Gender, Labor and social development has a key role in the design, implementation and monitoring of the intervention, as national ownership is crucial for sustainability.
Through this holistic approach the JPGBV advanced an integrated approach to GBV & SRHR at both the national and district levels through capacity building, facilitation of joint and multi-sectoral coordination, review and planning meetings, and platforms, facilitation of review and dissemination of policies, plans and guidelines. At the district level, the program led to improved capacity and attitudes of district teams, joint planning and coordination of an integrated approach to SRHR, facilitation of joint and multi-sectoral community meetings and dialogues.
The program has as well expanded the capacity to deliver GBV and SRH services within the targeted districts. Over 5,000 service providers (health care workers, police, judicial officers etc) have increased knowledge and capacity to deliver integrate SRH/GBV services including quality and coordinated essential services to survivors of violence. All facilities in the target districts now provide integrated GBV and SRH services. All the district police stations in target districts handle, investigate and collect evidence to facilitate prosecution. As such, an increase in service utilization of quality integrated GBV and ARHR services (medical, legal and psycho-social support) in the target districts has been reported over the years.
We are seeing reduced social tolerance for Gender Based Violence and improved sexual reproductive health and rights, as positive shifts in behaviors and attitudes are being reported by community, activists, and leaders. However, slow shifts in social norms where more needs to be done.
We are also proud that this program does not address these issues on its own but is complementary to other programs addressing GBV and SRHR in Uganda such as the Spotlight initiative and the ANSWER Programme.
The report is highlighting the challenging policy and legal environment and the slow progress in that area as well as very slow progress when it comes to psycho-social support and shifts in social norms. This should be considered moving forward.
