The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has engaged media practitioners in Jinja on their role in preventing gender-based violence (GBV), as government seeks to strengthen public awareness and improve support for survivors.
During the engagement, the ministry unveiled a multimedia strategy intended to expand public awareness of GBV, encourage positive social norms and improve responses to abuse.
The meeting comes amid concerns over the scale of violence against women in Uganda. Statistics presented at the engagement indicate that 44% of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while 16% have experienced sexual violence.
Angela Nakafeero, the Commissioner for Gender and Women, who represented the State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, said the media plays an important role in shaping public attitudes and influencing social change.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
She said journalists should use their platforms to promote positive messages, inform communities about the legal framework for preventing and responding to GBV, and amplify survivors' voices as they seek justice and support.
Nakafeero emphasised that protecting survivors must remain central throughout the process of reporting and handling abuse cases, warning that survivors should not be exposed to further violence or intimidation when seeking help.
She said cases reported to local council authorities should be handled in a way that protects survivors, with referrals to police and access to medical support where necessary. Cases involving serious offences should then be investigated and prosecuted through the courts.
"We want a system that really will ensure that the survivor is not intimidated, there is no retaliation, in terms of looking for services," Nakafeero said.
She also raised concern over reports that some survivors are being asked to pay for police forms when reporting cases, saying the practice could discourage victims from seeking help.
Nakafeero said survivors had reported paying Shs500 for photocopying Police Form 3, which is used to document cases, yet the forms are supposed to be provided free of charge.
"We have been receiving voices that when the survivors go to the police stations, survivors pay 500 Ugandan shillings to photocopy Form 3 where the cases can be registered and documented very well. However, in terms of government, these forms are free, and I would like to make an appeal to the Uganda Police that these forms are free. Let's not deny the survivors access to services," she said.
Nakafeero called on police to ensure survivors can report cases without facing additional financial barriers.
Participants welcomed the initiative but proposed measures to strengthen the strategy and extend its reach beyond conventional media platforms.
Ellia Twinamatsiko, an IT Advisory Officer at the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), highlighted the growing challenge of technology-facilitated GBV, noting that digital platforms can expose abuse but can also be used to harass and retraumatise survivors.
He proposed establishing regional support desks to help victims register cases and suggested that the ministry could consider placing GBV desks at National Service Uganda centres.
Rachel Tumwebaze, the Communications Officer at the National Association of Women's Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU), said social media campaigns had helped raise awareness but needed to be complemented by community-based interventions.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
She urged the ministry to draw on approaches used by non-governmental organisations, including working with local leaders, religious institutions and cultural leaders to reach communities where internet access is limited.
Tumwebaze said people without internet access could be left out of digital awareness campaigns, despite being among those who need information and support.
She also called for local leaders to be empowered to take a leading role in preventing GBV, including by using them as community role models.
Stakeholders said effective prevention would require coordinated awareness campaigns, accessible reporting channels and stronger protection for survivors throughout the process of seeking justice.
