Commemoration of 16 Days of Activism against Gender- Based Violence by St. Joseph Vocational Training Centre Kamuli.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender- Based Violence is a global campaign that highlights violence against women and girls as a critical human rights issue. Every year from 25^th November to 10^th December, people across the globe unite to commemorate 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. This significant period serves as a platform to raise awareness on the importance of ending GBV which has adverse effects on both men and women but mostly girls and women.

This year 2024, Gender Matters for Green TVET Programme at St. Joseph Vocational Training Centre Kamuli participated in the commemoration of 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence in collaboration with Enabel and other partners like Plan International, Care International, Kamuli District Local Government and other stakeholders under the theme: “Unite to end Gender Based Violence against Girls and Women”.

The event was held at Busoga High School on 30^TH November 2024 and a number of messages to end Gender-Based Violence against women and girls were passed through posters, speeches, sensitizations, performances, quiz, and drama by different stakeholders in addition to show casing products like reusable sanitary pads, nutritious porridge and sexual reproductive Health materials. Furthermore, free cervical cancer screening was done by Kamuli main Hospital, blood donation in a bid to save mothers who suffer brutal effects of GBV plus screening of hypertension, diabetes and vaccination against tetanus and cervical cancer for girls below 14 years of age.

The students from Gender Club and Green Club that represented St. Joseph Vocational Training Centre Kamuli participated in the quiz about the importance of inclusion of People living with Disabilities because they are highly affected by Gender Based violence. Ms. Nanyonjo Lydia the Gender Officer shared how Gender Based Violence is being clubbed in the school through the counselling unit, creating a safe environment through policies, infrastructure and promoting inclusive education. One of the Gender Club members by the names of Gorret Lagum mentioned,” Gender based violence is an evil that should not be tolerated anywhere in the world”, she vowed to always speak out against it whenever given opportunity.

The commemoration of this year’s 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence was made possible with funding from Austrian Development Cooperation and Jugend Eine Welt. This is part of the broader Gender Matters for Green TVET programme; a four-year initiative (2023-2026) implemented in five Don Bosco TVET Centres across Uganda (Kamuli, Bombo & Palabek) and Rwanda (Gatenga & Muhazi).