Violence Against Women

Violence Against Women and Children

IJM Uganda works to end violence against women and children

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If you're a woman living in poverty in Uganda, not only do you have to contend with the challenge of eking out a living in harsh conditions, but chances are you also live with the threat of violence towards you or your family.

Rates of violence against women in Uganda are high.

One in two women within Uganda have experienced intimate partner violence.

OECD Report 2015

Even higher prevalence rates were reported in Northern Uganda, with two-thirds of women experiencing intimate partner violence within their lifetime.

OECD Report 2015

More than half of Ugandans (57%) agree that domestic violence against women is justified under certain circumstances.

Uganda SIGI OECD Report 2015

Across Uganda, IJM partners with the public justice system to ensure that women and children are protected from violence, and key players in the community are trained on women's rights.

IJM has been working with partners in Uganda since 2004 to combat land theft, a form of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) that targets vulnerable widows and orphans.

In 2018, IJM began work in Gulu to combat domestic violence in Northern Uganda.

IJM Gulu began taking on domestic violence cases in 2018. IJM lawyers supported Sarah win her court case against her abuser. She's now safe, and a thriving hairdresser. Read Sarah's story »

Since 2004, IJM Kampala has restored land and homes to over 1,200 women. Meet one of them »

To date, IJM Kampala has convicted over 96 criminals and trained over 10,000 police, judges, churches, communities on land theft and women's rights.

In Uganda, when a man dies, it is common for neighbours, relatives and other community members to steal the home and property from his widow and children. When a man beats his wife, it is often seen as a personal matter. Police and courts are not always equipped and can be slow to respond when children suffer from sexual violence.

We are standing with women and children affected by violence across the country.

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