Arua City launches 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence
Drate (2L) stresses a point as Angudubo (2R) and Avako (L) looked on during the press conference. Photo Credit Andrew Cohen Amvesi
ARUA: Arua City authorities, in partnership with various organizations operating in the region, have launched the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The campaign, running from November 25 to December 10, 2025, is being observed under the global theme: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.”
Speaking at a press conference held at Arua City headquarters on Friday, November 21, 2025, Emmanuel Angudubo, the Assistant Deputy Town Clerk of Arua City, urged all stakeholders to actively participate in the fight against GBV in Arua City and beyond.
“As you are all aware, women and girls continue to face significant constraints due to deeply rooted cultural beliefs and value systems, which place them in situations of vulnerability. Despite clear legal frameworks promoting gender equality, the patriarchal nature of our society means women and girls still experience violence, stigma, and discrimination in all aspects of life,” Angudubo said.
He highlighted how cultural practices, particularly around land inheritance, often disadvantage women and girls.
“In Lugbara culture, for instance, land distribution traditionally favors the male child, with the assumption that a girl’s share lies with her future husband. These perceptions and stereotypes continue to hinder national efforts to empower women and girls,” he added.
Angudubo called on the public to reflect on progress made in protecting women and girls from violence as the 16-day campaign begins.
Judith Drate, the Arua City Senior Community Development Officer, revealed that 168 cases of GBV have been reported in the city from January to November 2025.
The cases include defilement, child marriage, and teenage pregnancy.
“However, the reported 168 cases represent only a tiny fraction, possibly as low as 0.1 percent — of the actual incidents. Most cases go unreported, are settled quietly in communities, or reach authorities only after evidence has been destroyed,” Drate said.
She appealed to parents, community leaders, and residents to report cases promptly, especially defilement and child marriage, to enable timely intervention and protection of victims from harmful cultural practices.
Genevieve Avako, the Head of Programs at Feminature Uganda, noted that the 16 Days of Activism is a globally recognized campaign against GBV.
She said her organization is proud to lead coordination among civil society organizations and partners in this year’s commemoration in Arua.
“This year’s theme is particularly relevant. Online spaces, once platforms for empowerment, connection, and learning, have increasingly become sites of harassment, abuse, misinformation, and exploitation — with women and girls disproportionately targeted,” Avako emphasized.
She cited common forms of digital violence faced by women in Uganda, including in West Nile, such as cyberbullying, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, online stalking, digital blackmail, hate speech, and identity theft.
In her remarks, Kalsum Abdu Fadimula, representing the political leadership of Arua City, commended partners for their collaboration in the fight against GBV.
She urged the public to actively participate in the 16-day campaign, which will culminate in a major event in Ayivu Division on December 10, 2025 also the International Human Rights Day.