Kibaale District
Civil Society Organization’s Network (KCSON) is an IDF grantee in Kibale
district. KSCON with financial and technical support from IDF implemented a
women and children advocacy project
in Bwanswa, Mugarama, Mabaale and Bwikara sub counties, with particular focus
on Health Services. The project aimed at
empowering women and children in Kibale to seek, demand, internalize and
practice human rights principles for sustainable growth and development. This
action resulted into increased awareness and consciousness on the rights of
women and children, as well as increased participation of women and children in
decision making processes. Children were educated on their rights and
responsibilities which they strived to fulfil while women especially those
living with HIV/AIDs were empowered with knowledge and skills on their rights
and economic sustainability.
Increased
Awareness On Children Rights.
Reports indicate
that majority of the children in Kibale are denied their right to education and
opportunity to inherit their parents’ property. Some children are forced into
early marriages and incest. However with the formation of child rights clubs at
Mabaale Secondary School, Kyadyoko Primary School, Kiranzi Primary School, and
Kyakahuku Primary School, children were made to understand their rights to education.
These clubs sensitised the children about children rights and responsibilities because
rights and responsibilities go hand in hand. This was done through radio talk shows and
face to face meetings. According to Kyaligonza Winnie, a parent and volunteer
under this program, children advocacy has yielded. “We are now seeing children fulfilling their responsibilities a little
more than before and this means reduced cases of rights abuse” Winnie notes.
Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLAS) Promote Economic
Sustainability among women living with HIV/AIDS
In the bid to achieve sustainable
growth and development, KSCON mobilized and introduced the women in Mabaale Sub County
to the VSLA model. Three VSLAs were formed and have since gotten women together
to share about human rights and their association too. The women are able to
save their money and also borrow money from the group at low interest rates.
Members have used their savings to start income generating activities like
piggery, farming and brick laying projects. An increase in the members’ incomes
and improvement in their livelihoods has been witnessed.
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Kyaligonza
Winnie a member and volunteer under this program notes that; “I borrowed UGX.200, 000 from the group and
used it to hire casual labourers to work in my garden. I then planted maize and
beans which i harvested and sold at UGX.856, 600. I used this money to pay
school fees for my daughter who was doing a Nursing course. My life has greatly
improved since i joined the association. These VSLAs have also eased my work as
a volunteer i am able to share with the women about human rights during our
meetings. The members also use the meetings to share and find solutions to their
domestic problems”.
According to
Winnie, the project has restored hope to the women in Mabaale, especially those
with HIV/AIDS who were living stigmatized, and penny less lives.
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| Winnie sharing with the members during one of their meetings. |
