Participants at the public awareness training held by Hope for Rural Women with support from Rockflower.
In the wake of the harrowing terrorist attack on Lhubiriha Secondary School by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the community of Mpondwe, Uganda, has been enveloped in mourning and distress. Rockflower's partner in the region, Hope for Rural Women (HORUWO), has not only faced the immediate tragedy with the loss of innocent lives but also confronted the complex aftermath within the community.
Understanding the intricate social repercussions that followed the attack, particularly the strain on familial bonds and rise in domestic violence stemming from secret DNA testing, HORUWO, with the backing of Rockflower, swiftly initiated a critical intervention - A Public Awareness Training Workshop aimed at curbing domestic violence and the chain of mistrust unleashed by secret paternity tests.
The Response Project - A Workshop on Awareness and Change
HORUWO's workshop brought together 50 members of the community, including women from the organization, local leaders, and political figures to address the issue head-on. The discussions, though challenging and charged with emotion, provided a necessary platform for both men and women to voice their pain and concerns.
Amidst the tension, the workshop revealed deep-seated issues within the community: men's anguish over parental uncertainty and women's distressing need to secure basic needs for their families, sometimes at the cost of marital fidelity. These complex dynamics were thrown into stark relief against the backdrop of the tragic school attack and the subsequent DNA identification efforts that, for some, compounded the sense of betrayal and loss.
Moving Forward - Recommendations and Actions
The session concluded with several forward-thinking resolutions aimed at healing and prevention:
Increased awareness about the implications of secret DNA testing and domestic violence.
A call for men to fulfill their familial responsibilities and engage in open dialogue with their spouses.
A plea for both men and women to maintain fidelity and uphold the vows of their union.
Advocacy for establishing economic opportunities for women, empowering them to meet their basic needs independently.
Creation and distribution of educational materials, including posters and murals, to spread awareness about the issues at hand.
Utilizing local radio to extend the conversation, with Messiah FM hosting discussions that reflected a community divided yet seeking solutions.
As a direct outcome, 50 individuals were trained and commissioned as ‘anti-secret DNA testing ambassadors’, charged with carrying the workshop's messages to wider audiences. The radio broadcasts expanded the reach of the dialogue, engaging callers from across the district and beyond.
HORUWO's director, Biira Juliet, noted the shift in understanding among both men and women regarding the dire consequences of dishonesty in relationships and the importance of mutual support within the family unit. Acknowledgment of the project's benefits was also given to Rockflower, whose financial assistance made these essential community conversations possible.
In the face of adversity, the joint efforts of HORUWO and Rockflower have sown seeds of hope and begun the painstaking work of rebuilding trust within the fabric of the Kasese community.