About Us
The Somali Women Union in Uganda is a community-based organization that aims to empower women and girls living in Uganda. Through various programs and initiatives, the organization provides education, health services, and economic opportunities help women and girls achieve their full potential The Somali Women Union in Uganda is committed to promoting gender equality and advocating for the rights of refugee and host-community women and girls in Uganda.
While the 2006 Refugee Act provides a legal framework for addressing SGBV, there are challenges in its implementation. These include limited resources, lack of awareness among refugees about their rights, and cultural and social factors that may discourage reporting of SGBV incidents. Despite these challenges, the 2006 Refugee Act section 33 remains a significant step towards protecting refugee women from SGBV and promoting gender equality within the refugee community in Uganda. It is important to note that addressing SGBV requires a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, protection, and support services for survivors. According to section 33 of the refugees act a woman refugee is entitled to equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in economic, social, cultural, civil or any other fields as provided for in the Constitution and other relevant laws in force in Uganda and international and regional instruments to which Uganda is a party
Sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) is a pervasive issue affecting women and girls globally, with refugee women in Uganda facing particularly elevated risks. Among the 1.5 million refugees in Uganda, SGBV rates for refugee women exceed those for Ugandan women. To combat this, Refugee Women-Led Organizations (RWLOs) are pivotal, offering crucial services such as counseling, legal aid, and economic empowerment. These organizations also spearhead awareness campaigns and advocate for policy changes to address the root causes of violence against women.
The prevalence of SGBV among refugee women in Uganda is alarming, with studies indicating that 72% have experienced at least one form of SGBV which include physical violence, verbal violence, psychological violence, sexual violence, and socio-economic violence among others. Displacement contributes to their vulnerability, disrupting familial and support structures. Limited access to justice and the stigma associated with SGBV compound the challenges. RWLOs step in to bridge these gaps by providing counseling to help women cope with trauma, legal support to understand rights and access justice, and economic empowerment for financial independence. Beyond individual support, RWLOs engage in community education and advocacy efforts to raise awareness, teach about signs of violence, and lobby for policy implementation, thus playing a crucial role in creating a more just and equitable society for all women in Uganda.
International Rescue Committee. (2017). Sexual and gender-based violence among refugee women in Uganda.
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UNHCR. (2020). Uganda: Refugee Statistics.
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UN Women. (2021). Addressing sexual and gender-based violence against refugee women and girls in Uganda.
Upcoming Projects to Fund
Somali Women Union Uganda (SWUU) INITIATIVE is a critical force in advocating for a more effective response to sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) among refugee communities in Uganda. SGBV is a pervasive and harmful issue that disproportionately affects refugee women and girls, who face increased risks due to displacement, poverty, and limited access to justice. REWON brings together the voices and experiences of refugee women leaders to address this critical issue and ensure that refugee women and girls have access to the support and protection they deserve.
SWUU's advocacy efforts are grounded in a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by refugee women and girls. Through their grassroots work and experiences, we are able to identify and address the root causes of SGBV, such as gender inequality, harmful cultural norms, and lack of access to education and economic opportunities. SWUU will also play a vital role in raising awareness of SGBV issues among refugee communities, empowering women and girls to speak out against violence, and providing support to survivors.
SWUU's work is essential to creating a safer and more just environment for refugee women and girls. By advocating for comprehensive SGBV prevention and response strategies, SWUU is helping to break the cycle of violence and empower refugee women to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
There will be a call for change of approach and revision of priorities by all practitioners and service providers, from districts authorities to civil society organizations, Office of the prime minister (OPM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR implementing partners, UN agencies, diplomatic missions, and non-governmental organizations whose primary mandate is to protect and empower refugees living in Uganda under different legal statuses. The selected RWLOs will be required to develop key messages, carry on joint and collaborative advocacy actions as a meaningful way to engage district commissioners, police officials. The above RWLOs are selected based on their experiences in the areas of advocacy and collaborative engagement with other key stakeholders in the regions.
Objectives
The overall objective of this initiative is to strengthen and advocate for and implement effective SGBV prevention and response strategies in Kampala, Nakivale Refugee Settlement and Kyangwali Refugee Settlement.
PARTICIPANTS IN ORGANISATION’S PROJECTS
SWUU primarily serves refugee women, children, and youth, focusing on the most vulnerable populations in both urban areas and refugee camps. Over the past three years, SWUU has reached approximately 3,000 participants annually, through various livelihood training programs, health awareness campaigns, and education initiatives.
Each year, the organization provides services to about 550 women, 900 children, and 350 youth across its diverse projects. SWUU's focus on capacity-building and empowerment ensures that participants are not just recipients of aid but active agents in their own development. Through tailoring, cosmetology, and language skills training, SWUU equips participants with the tools they need to achieve financial independence.
Most recently SWUU was privileged enough to be hosted by NTV Uganda to discuss matters pertaining SGBV among the refugees and host communities. We believe that this further extended our reach to astronomical figures.
COMMUNITY NEEDS
Based on SWUU’s work within refugee communities, prevalent needs include mental health support, protection from GBV, livelihood opportunities, and access to education. The Localisation Hub’s training in evidence-based methodologies could help address these needs by providing tools for more effective project design and monitoring. For instance, MHPSS training would enable SWUU to offer more specialized trauma support, while improved fundraising skills would allow the organization to secure the resources needed to sustain and expand its services.
