By Ainomugisha Shiba

The National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) joins the global community in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, running from November 25 to December 10. This year’s theme, “UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls,” highlights the urgent need for collective action to end gender-based violence.

As a leading national advocacy NGO that embraces the Rights Based Approach, NAPE has since 2014 established a Community Green Radio (CGR) based in the Albertine rift mainly to amplify voices of grassroot women on dangers of the extractive sector on their livelihoods and the environment. The Green Radio in 2020 emerged as the best among 60 competing radios in Africa winning the Liz Hughes International Award given by Farm Radio International Canada for championing women causes in the Albertine oil region. (https://www.greenradio.ug/community-green-radio-receives-the-2020-liz-hughes-award-for-her-farm-radio/ ).

 NAPE recognizes the critical link between environmental conservation and gender equality. We believe that empowering women and girls is essential to achieving sustainable development and protecting the environment.

NAPE has been working tirelessly to promote gender inclusiveness and environmental conservation in Uganda. Through our programs, we have:

• Trained over 500 women and girls on sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.
• Offered pro bono services and created safe spaces for women and girls who have fallen victims of GBV. This was to address their issues and help in mediation.  For those that were beyond our control, they were referred to the offices responsible for such matters.
• Established 30 community-based conservation groups, led by women and youth in various districts across Uganda. These include Hoima, Kiboga, Kikuuba, Kasese, Kotido, Yumbe, Madi-Okollo, Adjumani, Isingiro, Kyegegwa, to mention but a few.
• Supported over 100 households with clean energy solutions by training them on how to make charcoal briquettes thus reducing women’s workloads and promoting environmental sustainability.

Our Message:

We join the nation in calling for an end to gender-based violence and urge all stakeholders to invest in prevention and response efforts. We believe that every woman and girl deserve to live a life free from violence and fear.

Therefore, NAPE calls upon;

• The government of Uganda to develop a national strategy to address Digital Violence against women and girls.
• All media platforms and other CSOs to use technology and digital platforms to amplify advocacy against women rights abuse and prioritize reporting all forms of violence against women and girls so that culprits are identified and brought to justice.
• Government and other stakeholders to prioritize the establishment of safe spaces where victims of SGBV can quickly secure shelter, information, counseling, guidance and psychosocial support in the face of the SGBV vice.
• Family protection units of Uganda police and other relevant security agencies to implement severe punishments to all those culprits who abuse the rights of women, girls and children and deny their right and opportunity to grow and thrive.
• Government and private sector players to put an end to all forms of Extractive industry expansion as these have been proved to be the core drivers to abuse of women food, land and human rights.

Let’s UNiTE to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls!