“actv’s experience” presented by; samuel herbert nsubuga chief executive officer
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Livelihoods Support Project for Female Survivors of Sexual Violence and Torture in Northern Uganda. “ACTV’s experience” Presented by; Samuel Herbert Nsubuga Chief Executive Officer ACTV - Uganda. Content of presentation. About ACTV Uganda Project background Project objectives - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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.
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