SRHR Youth dialogue on SGBV in Bumasikye community — Mbale district

Date: April 11, 2025 — Partners: MNYPA and Elite Youth Uganda

SRHR youth dialogue participants and facilitators in Bumasikye — SRHR youth dialogue on SGBV — Bumasikye, April 11, 2025. (Photo: MUWEI)

On April 11, 2025, Munyalisa Women Empowerment Initiative (MUWEI), in partnership with MNYPA and Elite Youth Uganda, convened over 50 youth, parents, and local leaders in Bumasikye Sub-County, Mbale District, for a groundbreaking Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) dialogue. The event created a safe space for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) to share their experiences openly, challenging taboos around rape, forced marriage, and domestic violence.

Outcomes

Community-led solutions: formation of SGBV watch groups, integration of SRHR education in schools, partnerships with local media to fight stigma, and survivor economic empowerment support.
Identified barriers: fear of reporting, limited access to trained service providers, and persistent cultural barriers.

MUWEI and partners plan to scale this model across Eastern Uganda by training frontline actors, strengthening referral systems, and launching community media campaigns. The Bumasikye dialogue stands as a beacon of courage and collective action, proof that lasting change begins when communities speak out and take ownership.