According to 2006 Uganda Demographic Health Survey, 24% of women aged 15-49 reported that their first sexual experience was forced against their will. 54% of these women were 19 years of age or younger when they first experienced sexual violence. The project will utilize mobile phone technology, a web monitoring system to respond to childhood sexual violence and link communities to strengthen and support traditional protection mechanisms.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Kampala
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
We shall work with young girls and women between 10-49years in Ugandan schools and communities. This is because they are the key targets of sexual violence which is currently rampant. This relates well with the Daily Monitor, February 28, 2013 article “20 girls defiled daily in Uganda but we see no evil, hear no evil”. Because their voices still remain silent with no online open forums to present and discuss their views.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
A web monitoring system on violence will be created where instant messages on cases of sexual violence from subscribed mobile phone users will be received. Here they will be viewed by the project staff for intervention. A blog will also be created to provide space for participants to share information such as stories, referrals, photographs to minimise childhood sexual violence so as to build a community that is more responsive such acts.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Other tools
a web monitoring system on violence
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
We shall work with sms media and or sms Empire companies to provide bulk sms services to enable project participants communicate with the project staff on reporting cases of violence via the web monitoring system. We have established connections with 4 community-based organisations to work with- in selecting key persons to undergo our trainings so that they act as good will ambassadors for the project. We shall also work with local authorities.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
60 participants will be trained on how to report cases of sexual violence against women and children using instant messaging on mobile phones to our web monitoring system. Local citizens will be taught on how to subscribe to our free sms supported system. We shall send participants weekly sms about the cases intervened, recognise and give them awards, publicise their information online through collaboration with other partners.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
Mentorship, guidance and capacity building
Contact name
Michael Kakande
Organization
Protecting Women & Children Against Violence-Uganda