Congratulations on the revival of The End-Violence Discussion -- it's wonderful that the group has resumed!
The finale of 16 Days of Activism was held in Kampala today with a march and rally in Constitution Square. It was attended by over 700 people and was a great conclusion to the campaign. Since November 2000, Raising Voices in partnership with National Association of Women's Organizations in Uganda (NAWOU), and ActionAid Uganda have been implementing a comprehensive, community based Domestic Violence Prevention Project (DVPP) to engage the community to prevent domestic violence against women and children. DVPP is working with community members at a variety of levels to prevent domestic violence. This year, as a part of the global movement, DVPP spearheaded the 16 Days of Activism campaign within Kampala. The following activities were held: 1. March and rally began the campaign and commemorated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The campaign was launched by the Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development and attended by over 500 community members and leaders. 2. A purple Ribbon Campaign was organized and over 15,000 ribbons were worn by community members, MPs, Police, Health Care workers, TV and media personalities, NGO staff, teachers and students, etc. to express commitment to prevent violence and solidarity with women experiencing violence. 3. 28 drama performances about domestic violence and its negative effects on women, families and communities were performed by community groups within 9 parishes in Kawempe Division outside of Kampala. Dramas were performed in open spaces in the community and discussions were held after the dramas reaching over 1000 community members. 4. Two traveling exhibitions with interactive art prompting viewers to question the legitimacy of domestic violence were rotated throughout 4 parishes and 3 police stations. Community volunteers and Police Officers from the Family Protection Units facilitated several daily discussions around the materials. 5. Three open meetings facilitated by community Local Council Leaders were held in Kawempe Division where community members discussed the prevalence of domestic violence and what the community can do about it. Each meeting attracted over 100 participants. 6. Community and school competitions were held where students and community members responded in essays or pictures to the question of how can our community prevent domestic violence? Over 450 entries were submitted and the winners announced at today's rally. 7. Each of the 52 community volunteers have organized a 'booklet club' where a popular format booklet about domestic violence is discussed in small groups of women and men. Over 520 community members participate in the booklet clubs which meet every week. 8. Ten colorful murals were painted in strategic locations on donated wall space within the community, which model non-violent behaviors and question the legitimacy of violence against women and children. 9. 4000 posters (four designs, 1000 of each), 1000 booklets and 1500 calendars for 2002, all depicting anti-violence messages were distributed throughout Kampala to reinforce the message of violence prevention. 10. Four articles were published in the national press explaining the significance of the campaign, discussing violence against women and describing community's achievements in preventing violence. 11. Three newspaper columns were published in The New Vision (national English language daily and Bukedde (Luganda) addressing domestic violence and how it effects the community. 12. Six color violence prevention mini-murals were published in The Monitor (national daily), three in New Vision, three in Bukedde, Rupiny, Etop and Orumuri (collectively covering the entire nation). 13. A color pullout in the New Vision, Bukedde, Rupiny, Etop and Orumuri, was published regarding domestic violence and how the community can prevent it. It also contained a petition and pledge signed by approximately 300 key leaders (Ministers, MPs, NGO Leaders, Community and Religious Leaders, etc.) to work toward ending domestic violence. 14. 15 radio talk and call-in shows on major radio stations in Kampala were aired about domestic violence and the 16 Days of Activism. 150 short (1-2 minute) infomercials on popular radio stations such as CBS, Star, Simba, Sapientia and radio Uganda were also aired. 15. Participation in an NGO networking fair organized by UWONET for organizations working on women's issues and violence. 16. One hour TV talk show, Open Up, was aired on December 9th on Uganda-TV with nationwide coverage. DVPP staff were interviewed about the problem of domestic violence, what is being done in the community, and two testimonials were given by local community leaders about the experience of domestic violence in the community. 17. Today we culminated the flurry of activity with a March and Rally officiated by the Mayor of Kampala. Drama, singing, speeches, dancing and exhibitions were enjoyed by all! Considerable coverage was given in the media to the activities and the intensity of the activities during these 16 days really brought domestic violence into the public dialogue. All the above activities are part of our current project working to mobilize communities to prevent domestic violence. More information can be found at www.raisingvoices.org Best wishes, Lori ********** Lori Michau Co-Director Raising Voices PO Box 6770 Kampala, Uganda Te. 256 041 531186 Tel./Fax: 256 041 531249 Mobile: 256 071 839626 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.raisingvoices.org ***End-violence is sponsored by UNIFEM and receives generous support from ICAP*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe end-violence OR type: unsubscribe end-violence Archives of previous End-violence messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/end-violence/hypermail/
