For women facing domestic violence, lockdown comes with its own life-threatening risks. To date there are 5,552 cases of Gender Based Violence cases reported from different parts of the country during this pandemic in Uganda.

The stay-at-home measures needed to curb the spread of COVID-19, combined with increasing unemployment or lack of job security, substance use, and uncertainty about finding food, has created what the United Nations called a “perfect storm” for domestic violence. Women are isolated from support networks and barriers to relocation or legal action are heightened.

While speaking during the World Labour day celebrations on 1st May, the minister of Gender Labour and Social Development (MLSD) Hon. Frank Tumwebaze re-echoed the concerns of the raising cases of Gender based violence in homes and appealed to Ugandans to maintain peace and harmony in their homes.

“We are getting reports that due to the current social environment of lockdown, cases of violence against women and children are increasing. I note with great concern the increasing cases of Gender Based Violence in families (GBV) throughout the Country. Some of these cases have already claimed lives of Ugandans; even before COVID 19 does so. Within a period of less than one month, between 30th March and 28th April 2020, a total of 3,280 cases of GBV were reported to the Police. This is in addition to 283 cases of Violence against Children which were reported through our National Child Helpline –Sauti 116, in Kireka.” Hon Tumwebaze Minister of Gender  https://ugandamediacentreblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/28/statement-effects-of-covid19-on-employment-and-gender-relations/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

This GoFundMe campaign, organized by Strive Foundation Uganda, aims to raise 30,000 USD, which converts to about 110 Million Ugandan shillings.  These funds will provide valuable supportive services to women and children suffering from domestic violence or other dire-needs related to extreme poverty living in selected districts in Uganda's central region.  Strive Foundation provisions will include helping vulnerable women connect with health units and local police, as well as organizing the distribution of food items and non-food items. These supports will go a long way and in helping prevent domestic violence and ensure critical support services remain operational to these abused women during the lockdown. The livelihoods of widows and women who have suffered domestic violence mostly in the urban areas are most affected as this has disrupted access to their livelihoods and income for the households further exposing the risks of vulnerable households.

Target
Strive Foundation Uganda proposes to provide food relief and assistance to 10,000 vulnerable households to a population of approximately 50,000 persons through the distribution of essential food items and non-food items in different parts of the country.

A total of 6 care homes and orphanages will also be included to receive food relief. These include;
Ø  Hope for Katanga Kids
Ø  Kids of Africa
Ø  Another Hope Children’s orphanage
Ø  Bweya Children’s Home
Ø  Kyasiima Home of Hope
Ø  Jajja Flora happy children’s home

Criteria
The assistance shall be nominated by local government leadership from identified households with:
- Persistent domestic violence;
- Defranchised of livelihoods due to COVID-19;
- Elderly headed household (60 years and above); 
- Child-headed households;
- People with special needs (physical or mental disability);
- Households with children under 5 year old.
 
Estimated Budget Breakdown
55%  Food Relief Items, like maize flour, soya/millet, rice, condensed milk, beans, cooking oil, salt.
25%  Non Food Items, laundry soap, medications, infant provisions.
5%  Communication and Publicity. 
10%  Fuel and vehicle hire. 
5%  Administrative and Miscellaneous. 

Strive Foundation Uganda
Strive Foundation Uganda is an indigenous, not-for-profit organization that has been extensively founded on education, economic empowerment, sexual reproductive health and environmental protection efforts to support, assist and empower Ugandans.  SFU brings together community stakeholders for collaborative action, which leads to transformational change in the lives of women, children and youth at risk.  Mukiibi Ibrah is SFU's International Liaison and Project Organizer, as he is currently living in America.  He is responsible for project development & follow-up, as well as donor relations.  Kasumba Geofrey is SFU's Country Director and Project Coordinator.  He will be responsible for community organizing and direct service delivery.  Please consider to join/follow us on this project and others at: https://strivefoundationstrifuuganda.wordpress.com/ or [email redacted].
 
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