By KT Reporter
Women’s rights activists in Arua City have commended the impact of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) desks established at different markets in the city, noting that they provide safe spaces for vendors, both women and men, to freely express themselves and seek help from trained personnel.
Ten GBV desks providing free legal assistance to market vendors and neighboring communities were established by Integrated Child Service Consult (ICS) earlier this year under the “Every Voice Counts for Women and Girls” project, with support from the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network.
These markets include Arua Central Market, Awindiri, Driwala, Dadamu, Muni, Social Center, Ediofe, Onduparaka, Lobida, and Mvara Dri, targeting 500 women market vendors under the project. Aseru Lillian, a market vendor in Arua City, raised concerns over continuing cases of Gender-Based Violence in West Nile, calling for intervention by stakeholders.
At each GBV desk, paralegals receive and register cases, assisting vendors and anyone seeking help. Cases that cannot be handled at this level are referred to FIDA Uganda and other partner organizations for further legal assistance.
Emilly Drijaru, Executive Director of ICS, expressed confidence that the initiative is contributing towards addressing GBV in the city, as vendors and their partners are given space to engage with case workers.
Godliver Asibazuyo from FIDA Uganda described the initiative as an opportunity for women to freely express themselves while seeking assistance, noting that many had previously shied away from reporting cases for fear of exposure.
Ben Acema, a staff member at Community Empowerment for Inclusive Growth, emphasized the importance of mental health support for GBV victims to help them cope, especially after experiencing trauma.
Since their establishment, the GBV desks have recorded 15 cases, with most handled on site and others referred for legal assistance. Activists noted that cultural norms, such as “aruba” in Lugbara culture, still hinder reporting, as victims fear bringing misfortune to their families—an issue identified as fueling GBV cases.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
