CA C 1 - Raising Voices

DVPP case study
governance has been decentralized through a system of Local Councils. The Local Council I (LC I)
leaders usually form the first layer of response for local and domestic disputes. Thus, seminars were
held for LC I leaders in each parish as well as their colleagues in the District Level LC III and the
Executive Council. In collaboration with the resource persons and community volunteers, LC meetings
were attended to lobby for further attention toward and investment in preventing domestic violence.
The Advocacy department also worked within eight schools to reach out to children and young
people. In each school, an Action Group of teachers and administrators works with the project and
engages their students on the issue. Some activities of the Action Group include establishment of a
drama group, teacher dialogues, and girls/boys clubs. Local community members are also engaged
through advocacy activities in outreach to non-professionals within their own places of work (e.g., the
market, hair saloons, furniture workshops, restaurants, etc.). These discussions create considerable
commotion and animated debates.
In the next phase of Building Networks, the Project Coordinator will intensify work with other NGOs
who are providing services for women experiencing violence with an aim to influence the quality of
services and approach they use to work with their clients.
Local Activism
The Local Activism department works with the community at the grassroots level to promote women’s
rights and the prevention of domestic violence. Community volunteers (CVs) are at the forefront of
community efforts.
Many community members came forward to participate in the project. Fifty-two were selected, one
woman and one man from each of the 26 zones of the parishes. They participated in the first CAC
workshop, in regular fortnightly training sessions, and are supported during their activities by the Local
Activism team. Currently they are showing video shows on domestic violence in their communities
followed by a discussion of the key issues, organizing booklet clubs, conducting door-to-door visits,
facilitating community dialogues about domestic violence in busy public places like the market,
mobilising community members for local theatre performances, carrying out impromptu discussions,
and distributing learning materials. CVs also counsel, refer, and sometimes accompany women who
need services. The CVs are highly motivated and are recognized as advocates that lead violence
prevention efforts in their immediate communities.
Learning Materials
This department has chosen to use the designs suggested in the Resource Guide. They have produced
eight colorful posters, a calendar, two story booklets, and 12 painted murals in 40 places around the
community to start and sustain discussion with community members. All the materials have been
printed in Luganda with a smaller text translation in English. They are used as program tools by staff,
resource persons, and community volunteers.
Documentation
As a pilot project that has the potential to be scaled up nationwide, careful attention is paid to
Mobilising Communities to Prevent Domestic Violence
DVPP case study
231