Every 11 minutes, a woman loses her life at the hands of a partner or family member. One in three women globally will experience violence in their lifetime. These stark realities demand urgent action to address gender-based violence (GBV), a crisis that devastates lives, families, and communities across the globe.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a milestone that underscores both the progress achieved and the critical work that remains to create a safer, more equitable world.
In Uganda, GBV continues to impact millions of women and girls, with alarming statistics revealing the magnitude of the issue. A 2021 report by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics showed that 95% of women and girls in the country have experienced violence—whether physical, sexual, emotional, or economic. Intimate partner violence remains particularly prevalent, with 43% of ever-partnered women reporting domestic violence within the past year. Meanwhile, online violence is rising rapidly, with nearly half of Ugandan women facing harassment or exploitation in digital spaces.
In response to this pressing issue, MTN Uganda has joined the 2024 global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign with a steadfast commitment to creating meaningful change. The company is implementing targeted initiatives to raise awareness, support survivors, and empower communities to take collective action.
This year, MTN Uganda’s efforts are focused on creating awareness through community outreach programs, promoting digital safety tools, and forging partnerships with local organisations to foster safer and more inclusive environments for all.
Recognizing the importance of engaging all segments of society, MTN Uganda is actively involving men and boys as allies in the fight against GBV. The company believes that dismantling harmful norms and stereotypes is essential to cultivating a culture of respect and equality. By amplifying the voices of positive male role models, MTN Uganda hopes to inspire communities to stand united against GBV.
“Ending gender-based violence requires us all to recognise its connection to broader social injustices and commit to dismantling those systems,” said Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer. “It demands that we not only speak out against violence but actively work towards a world where every woman and girl is safe, empowered, and free to reach her full potential. MTN is proud to stand in solidarity with organisations and individuals working tirelessly to create a world free from violence. Together, we can amplify the voices of survivors, challenge harmful norms, and build a more equitable future for all.”
Echoing this commitment during the community dialogue on GBV awareness campaign held at Smart Girls Foundation, a Not- for-Profit-Organisation that trains and support young girls and women, Bryan Mbasa, Senior Manager, MTN Foundation, called on all stakeholders to take action: “This is not just our responsibility—it is our calling. Let us be the change to end gender-based violence. Every action, big or small, contributes to the movement that’s been 25 years in the making. Speak up, support survivors, and demand change. Together, we can create a future free from violence.”
The 16 Days of Activism campaign serves as a powerful reminder that everyone has a role to play in ending GBV. Whether through participating in local initiatives, sharing resources, or advocating for stronger protections, every effort counts. MTN Uganda invites individuals and communities to join this vital cause by standing with survivors and saying #NoExcuse for violence in all its forms.
In her remarks, Beatrice Mugambe, who represented United Nations development programme (UNDP) has reiterated UN Family commitment to end violence against women and girls in Uganda, which remains a critical challenge in pursuing Uganda’s vision 2040.
Ms Mugambe noted that through UNDP’s spotlight initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls in Uganda, they have managed to reach out to 12 districts.
She said that though Uganda has made progress in terms of preventing violence against women and girls, more should be done.
” We are in Arua, Yumbe, Tellego, Kampala, Amudati , Gulu, kitgum, Omolo, Kasese, Kyegegwa, otuke, and Tororo, and next year we shall be in 17 districts. As we commemorate 16 days of activism against GBV, We noted that Uganda has made progress in terms of preventing violence against women and girls , but we also know that there is still a lot to be done. We are aware of the high school dropout in Uganda, and that’s why Spotlight initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls came to tackle this challenge.” She said.
She stated that the UNDP chose to focus on girls and women who are out of school, so our partnership with smart girls foundation is to ensure that those who where not able to continue with the normal school curriculum can find an opportunity to gain skills.
Penelope Sanyu, Founder of @FemmeForteUg, in her keynote address said “Unity is a formidable force,” By coming together—community leaders, law enforcement, survivors, civil society—we can create lasting change and address the root causes of gender-based violence.
She reminded the gathering about Ubuntu — “I am because we are” — is a powerful philosophy in the fight against GBV. When one of us suffers, the whole community suffers. Together, we can build a world where everyone thrives
“When you are empowered, you will value what you are doing, and you will not do something wrong, even the issue of strike in the nation, it is basically because of idleness. People who are not idle are always not available for use. They do something which is constructive, and then the other thing is that they will not be exposed to drugs. I am sure many of you here know very well that the cause of strike is due to drug use. For us the health workers, we are really advocating for communities who work against drug abuse, because drug abuse has failed many of our children.” Said Dr Akoth Daphine in charge Komamboga health center III
She stated that “We have gone to families who are able, but they have no educated children because of drugs. And yet we have gone to families which are unable, and they have educated children because they have guarded their children from drug abuse practice, so ministry of Gender, it is our request that something should be done about this.” She emphasized that drug Abuse is too much in the nation. “It has destroyed children.
