Livelihoods Support Project for Female Survivors of Sexual

Violence and Torture in Northern Uganda

“ACTV’s experience”

Presented by; Samuel Herbert NsubugaChief Executive OfficerACTV - Uganda

Content of presentation

1. About ACTV Uganda2. Project background3. Project objectives4. Expected outcomes of the project5. Project progress6. Lessons from work done7. Complimentary efforts towards the

project8. Recommendations9. Conclusion

About ACTV UgandaWe are the only indigenous treatment and rehabilitation centre for survivors of torture in Uganda founded in 1993

Our Vision“A world free from torture”.

Our MissionTo provide quality holistic care to

survivors of torture by state, security agencies and armed

groups.

Project background20 year (1988-2008) conflict in northern UgandaThousands of girls and young women were abducted by

the LRAWomen and girls were subjected to all sorts of physical

and psychological torture such as;Forced recruitment into rebel ranks, Rape (sometimes

gang-rape) and defilement, forced marriage by rebel commanders

1200 female survivors of torture have been supported by ACTV Gulu since 2007

ACTV is currently implementing a client discharge policyThe need to emancipate women victims of torture and

sexual violence through sustainable livelihoods.Need for self reliance and self help focus to undo

dependency

Project goal

To empower 200 women victims of torture and sexual violence attain economic stability and self reliance by 2012.

Project objectives

Project objectives1. To mentor members of 15 groups of WVST in self

reliance participatory development approaches for sustainable livelihood by 2012

2. To equip 200 members of women group of victims of torture with skills to initiate and manage successful livelihoods projects by 2012.

3. To support members of 15 women group victims of torture to undertake viable livelihoods activities for food security and value addition by the end of 2012

4. To support 200 women access holistic rehabilitation services within their communities by the end of 2012

5. To strengthen community user advocacy initiatives carried out by women victims of torture in former LRA affected communities in Gulu district by 2012

6. To support members of 6 groups of WVST to establish alternative sources of income through community tailoring projects by 2012

Project strategiesCapacity Building for LivelihoodsSelf Reliance Participatory Development modelSelf Help Group approach (informed by

experiences from South East Asia such as Sri Lanka, India among others)

Livelihood EnterprisesCommunity Awareness and AdvocacyMentoring and coaching for women group

membersPeer psychosocial supportSmallholder Value chain management

Expected outcomes of the project200 women managing successful livelihoods projectsHouseholds of 200 women enjoying food security and

economic stabilityHousehold of 200 women victims of torture managing

sustainable income generating projects at household and group level.

30 women able to provide peer counseling and rehabilitative support to fellow torture victims in their groups and communities

100 women saving income with group savings and credit schemes formed as a result of this intervention

200 women able to speak out on issues affecting their lives as a result of torture to government officials and security agencies through public awareness campaigns against torture.

Local government and security agencies in Gulu district and surrounding communities embrace torture prevention measures proposed by women activists against torture

Project progressProject induction has been done for 12 key staff

(directly or indirectly) involved in the projectAgreed on project delivery strategies, accountability and

reportingAligned details in project document with current context

(costs)Helped in mapping of operation area for this pilot project

e.t.cMonitoring and Evaluation framework for the

project has been developedTool for baseline data collection has been

developed to assess the status of each household at the inception of the project

Beneficiary selection process is underway until now

Criteria for beneficiary selection has been agreedIdentification of women survivors of torture & sexual violenceIdentification of groups within operation area (ACTV and

partner organizations)

Project progressTraining of trainers for 13 ACTV staff in self

reliance participatory development model facilitated by Uganda Change Agent Association (UCAA) training detail;

Principles of self-reliant participatory developmentThe process of conscientisation in self relianceWorking with groups (group dynamics, group self

evaluation)Operation and management of the savings and credit

schemesIdentification and selection of business enterprises,

gross margin analysisBusiness planningMarketing and value chain analysis and management

Project baseline data collection for selected beneficiaries

Lessons from work doneParticipation of women survivors of torture and sexual

violence in other groups has been minimal and ineffective for some clients due to stigma

Self reliance can only be built on ones appreciation of what they have “however little it may be as a starting point to challenge, inspire and motivate them to take up action”

Conscientisation process is foundational in guiding self reliance. (Each person should be helped to understand the root cause of their problem especially poverty through a self assessment and discovery exercise rather than blaming it on external factors only”.)

Self reliance is not primarily driven by handouts and donations but on the will to change status quo in order to live fulfilled. Government livelihoods projects have failed as a result.

Complimentary effort to the project

Training social workers in psychosocial peer support by Center for International Stabilization and Recovery January 2012

Prospect of a livelihoods exchange partnership between ACTV and Survivors Associated

Supply of guide handbooks on Self Reliance participatory Development by Uganda Change Agent Association

RecommendationsSince this is pilot intervention covering one

district in Northern Uganda, a thorough process evaluation should be conducted at the end of the project to inform subsequent livelihoods interventions for survivors of torture in other areas of Uganda and African partners.

Ultimately, the process of emancipation should empower women to form or join Human rights associations or bodies for Human rights defenders in order to augment advocacy efforts against torture nationally, regionally and internationally

ConclusionAlthough this project is in its early stages, it

provides a firm opportunity for ACTV and other partner organizations involved in rehabilitation of survivors of torture to develop sustainable mechanisms for enhancing self reliance and self help among survivors of torture in order to eliminate the high levels of dependency which emerge from the wide spectrum of social-economic and political effects of torture common among citizens, refugees, Asylum seekers among others.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME