Empowering Nakawa to end Sexual and Gender Based violence.

15 May 2025, 10:37 pm

By Philip Onyango

Tiko, in partnership with various organizations, including the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is spearheading efforts to end Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

This initiative highlights the importance of community involvement, leadership and media engagement in addressing SGBV.The call was made in a crucial community dialogue convined in Nakawa-Banda to address the pervasive issue of Sexual and Gender Based violence (SGBV), with a specific focus on rape and defilement affecting young people aged 15-24.

This dialogue brings together key stakeholders to break the silence, challenge, harmful misconceptions, and empower the community to take action.SGBV is a grave violation of human rights with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities.

In Uganda, rape and defilement continue to be significant problems, particularly affecting young people. Deep-rooted stigma, misconceptions, and a lack of awareness often prevent survivors from seeking help and perpetrators from being held accountable.

Speaking to media, Nassali Moreen working in the Department of Community Development office under KCCA at Nakawa Division, says Nakawa Division register the high number of cases related to SGBV, and they register over 100 quatery.Nassali adds that such cases they always receive include rape, sexual harassment, defilement, physical violnce among other cases, and they don’t just stop registering them, but they refer those cases to police for further investigations.

Desire Musimenta, the communication officer for TIKO, highlights the organization’s efforts to address critical issues in slum areas through community dialogue.

She says that, as TIKO aims to increase awareness about important health issues, such as HIV prevention and Sexual Gender-Based violence, provide accessible services to marginalized communities that may not have the means to access them otherwise, address the high prevalence of HIV in these areas among which.