Youth Line Forum Uganda reveals expansion plans to scale up fight against Gender-Based violence.
Drake Nyamugabwa
Following successful advocacy campaigns against Gender-Based violence (GBV)in the last 10 years, Youth Line Forum, a youth-led organization has revealed plans to expand its programs through strengthened partnerships to continue empowering and inspiring young people in Uganda to join the cause.
During a press conference, on Tuesday 10th December 2024 held at their headquarters, in Kampala, Leah Mugasa, the Programs Coordinator, Youth Line Forum, representing the Executive Director of the Forum, Ruth Asiimwe, said in their work, they continue to advocate for both women and men including diversity equity, inclusion and justice for all, engaging boys and girls at the University, among others to ensure people in the community, informal and formal sector join the fight against GBV.
“The Youth Line Forum remains committed to its mission of empowering young people to drive change. Building on the successes of this year’s campaign, the organization plans to expand its programs, strengthen partnerships, and explore new avenues for advocacy and action in the fight against Gender-Based Violence” she said
The Coordinator has also urged the government, as part of the 16 days of activism, while tackling gender-based violence to respond amicably to GBV cases thereby setting up a center that specifically addresses the concern.
The 16 days of activism started on 25 November, and they reached homes and different groups in society, including victims, perpetrators, community leaders, and law enforcers. These talks allowed people to share personal stories and ideas on how to end Gender-Based Violence.
During the 16days of activism against GBV, at least over a thousand active participants online and offline, including women, men, and young people have been sensitized and committed to being change agents in their communities, youth have also been empowered to take on leadership roles in fighting GBV out of the communities, Owen Rubunda, Youth activist with Youth Line Forum Uganda said.
As the forum, since most youth engage so much on social media spaces, “we have been active in making posters, sharing to youth for circulating on their spaces as they advocate the fight against GBV.”
The major challenges are the deep cultural stereotypes, people fear reporting GBV cases to police in fear of shame, and children do not speak in fear of losing support from parents, among others, he added.
Natasha Ahereza member with Youth Line Forum, mentioned that they are strongly imploring government to also take strong position as there are many GBV cases, but instead limited resources to support in funding these cases to meet justice.
She Indicated that according to the 2023 Police Crime Report, 14,681 cases of domestic violence were reported to police. Out of these reported cases, 1,520 cases reached court resulting in only 423 convictions.
Despite the government of Uganda launching the National Gender-Based Violence Action Plan in 2016 that is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 calling for the elimination of all forms of Gender Based Violence, this vice of GBV continues to prevail in Uganda.
YLF is a non-government not-for-profit organization that works with young people to inspire and empower them to transform communities. YLF works to equip young people with economic, social, and life skills to give them leverage to a responsible and dignified life. YLF also gives a platform to young people to become active and participating citizens who can analyze, validate and use data to engage with and hold their leaders to account; to address community development challenges, and to improve the relevance and effectiveness of youth policies and programs. YLF creates awareness about the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and supports youth to analyze existing data to hold leaders accountable to the goals.
