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Features and Highlights
ACFODE Inter-Institutional Debate Competitions on again!
ACFODE inter-institutional debates are on again, this time round in the Northern part of the country.
Last week (22nd – 28th April 2012), ACFODE staff were in the north training students from Gulu University, Unyama National Teachers’ College (Gulu), Uganda Christian Institute for Professional Development (Lira), Loro Primary Teachers’College (Oyam), and Florence Nightingale Nursing School (Apac) about gender and development, and on the British Parliamentary debate format that will be used by the debaters during the tournament.
The trainings were characterised with a lot of enthusiasm and willingness to learn on the part of the students.
It was however apparent that the students had little knowledge about many gender concepts .For instance most of the students defined gender as the “biological difference between women and men.” In one of the Universities, the Gender Minister disclosed that despite holding the post, she was not well versed with the gender issue.
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CACs Trained in Basic Counseling and Community Led Advocacy
In order to enhance Community Agents of Change (CACs)’s understanding of the concept of counseling so that they are in position to support GBV survivors in their local communities, ACFODE, with support from the Open Society Institute facilitated a training workshop in the sub counties of Loro and Kamdini in Oyam district. The workshop, which also sought to equip participants with knowledge and skills on community led advocacy, lobbying and networking took place from the 16th – the 21st of April 2012 at the White House Hotel.
The training was informed by a Needs Assessment that was conducted at the beginning of the project in February this year.
Some of the topics that were discussed include; definitions and importances of counseling, counseling general rules,appropriate areas for counseling,the needs of an abuse survivor, attitudes in counseling, and communication skills in counseling. Under advocacy and networking, their definitions and benefits were discussed with participants.
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BRIEF ON ACFODE’s YOUTH LEADERS DIALOGUE
The support of leaders is a powerful tool in advocating for the changes we want to see. Because of this, ACFODE has over the years engaged local leaders (political, cultural, religious and community) in most of her activities to influence positive change. Consequently, a Youth Leaders’ Dialogue was held in Apac district on the 27th of March 2012 with the objective of providing a platform for leaders to engage with local government offices with issues to do with planning cycles, budgeting processes, and service delivery so that young people are given consideration during such processes.
The dialogue brought together a total of 30 participants and these included district local government officials and youth leaders from the project sub counties of Akokoro and Town Council.
During the dialogue, a paper on Planning, Budgeting and Service Delivery was presented by Mr. Pele Enon – Apac District Planner. The presentation entailed a detailed process followed in the planning cycle at district level. It also featured the available avenues which youth can take advantage of in order to have their issues incorporated in the district development plan.
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New Project: Building Citizen’s Resilience in the Promotion of Violence Free Families and Communities
With funding from the Open Society Institute, ACFODE is implementing a one year project on Building Citizen’s Resilience in the Promotion of Violence Free Families and Communities in Oyam and Apac districts.
The project seeks to educate and empower women and girls, as well as men and boys to adopt peaceful and non violent means for resolving conflicts in their lives.
Project objectives include;
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Increasing awareness on Gender Based Violence (GBV) thereby reducing the high incidence of violence against women and girls.
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Inculcating a culture of non violent relationships between men, women, boys and girls within the community.
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Promoting community led advocacy for access to justice by women who experience GBV.
Recently, a community based/ driven approach that involved the selection and training of Community Agents of Change (CACs) was conducted in Oyam district in the sub counties of Loro and Kamdini. 60 CACs were selected on their ability to create awareness and gain the commitment of decision makers and community members for this noble cause. These included; religious and cultural leaders, members of the local council, members of youth, men and women groups as well as health workers. We believe that their support in this project willbe a powerful tool to advocate for the changes this project wants to bring about.
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