Parish Chiefs Trained to Integrate Gender-Based Violence in Local Government Budgets

Tororo, Uganda In a significant move to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and its impact on development, the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) has conducted a specialized training for parish chiefs on integrating GBV concerns into lower local government budgets.

Held in Tororo District, the training aimed to equip local leaders with the tools and knowledge to prioritize sexual and reproductive health rights and address harmful practices that hinder community progress. The initiative emphasized the importance of embedding GBV considerations into grassroots planning and budgeting processes.

Paul Ronald Konde, a certified trainer in gender equity budgeting, stressed the importance of citizen-generated data in shaping effective GBV interventions. “Planning must be rooted in the lived realities of our communities,” Konde said. “We must contextualize GBV and understand its developmental implications to empower local planners.”

He also underscored the need for strategic messaging and the active involvement of men in GBV prevention. “To win the battle against GBV, we must package our messages in ways that resonate with men, especially at community hubs like boda boda stages,” he added, calling for dynamic and inclusive male engagement strategies.

Vincent Ntambi, a representative from CSBAG, presented sobering statistics from various sub-counties: 61% of women in Mulanda have experienced GBV, child marriage in Merikit stands at 17%, and Mukuju reports a 40% prevalence of sexual violence. Ntambi also highlighted emerging forms of abuse, including economic coercion, digital harassment, and emotional violence against children, such as bullying.

He urged parish chiefs to lead community empowerment efforts and collaborate with key stakeholders including the judiciary, police, local governments, and health units to address these challenges. Ntambi further raised concerns about the trafficking of girls from rural areas to Kampala and neighboring Kenya for domestic work, particularly during the festive season. He called for increased sensitization and vigilance at border points to prevent exploitation.

Mr. Owori, the Community Development Officer for women and youth in Tororo District, reaffirmed the district’s commitment to fighting GBV. He reported a notable reduction in intimate partner violence from 69% to 31%attributing the progress to active community structures. “We’ve established child wellbeing committees that meet monthly to address issues affecting children, and similar forums are in place to support GBV survivors,” he said.

The training marks a pivotal step in strengthening local government capacity to address GBV through inclusive planning, evidence-based decisionmaking, and community driven solutions.