Breaking Cycles of Silence: Fighting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Busoga

In Uganda’s Busoga region, the Rape Hurts Foundation (RHF) is leading a transformative fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), restoring hope and dignity to survivors who often live in silence. With deep-rooted poverty and harmful traditional norms perpetuating cycles of abuse, SGBV remains an unspoken epidemic, leaving survivors—primarily women and girls—grappling with trauma, stigma, and shattered lives.

The Hidden Toll of SGBV

A 2021 survey by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda revealed that 62% of individuals in Busoga had experienced gender-based violence—the highest rate in the country. Similarly, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) reported that 51.9% of women aged 15 to 49 in the region had faced spousal violence, while 22% had encountered sexual violence. These figures expose the widespread nature of the problem and highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions.

SGBV manifests in various forms, including defilement, rape, domestic violence, and emotional abuse, leaving both physical and emotional scars. Survivors face untreated sexual trauma, unwanted pregnancies, and exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Yet, the deepest wounds are often invisible—depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation haunt survivors long after physical injuries heal. In  this October , RHF documented over 30 cases of emotional violence, and  17 cases of Defilement and rape just in Jinja District, underscoring the pervasive silence and stigma surrounding survivors’ struggles.

RHF: Restoring Hope and Dignity

RHF has become a lifeline for survivors, employing a holistic approach to recovery:

• Medical and Legal Aid: Survivors receive medical examinations, emergency contraception, and post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV. Legal support ensures perpetrators face justice despite societal resistance.
• Mental Health Recovery: Trauma-informed counseling helps survivors rebuild self-worth and overcome despair. In October 2024, 12 survivors reported significant mental health improvements.
• Vocational Empowerment: Through RHF’s Bukyerimba Vocational & Skilling Center, survivors gain skills in tailoring, hairdressing, and baking, fostering financial independence and confidence.

Breaking Stigma and Building Communities

RHF collaborates with leaders, schools, and families to dismantle harmful norms through awareness campaigns, while partnerships with organizations like SELF, Vital Voices Global Partnership IDIWA.ngo , NCHRD, etc. strengthen support networks. Mediation in family disputes promotes harmony and gender equality.

A Call to Action

As we mark the 16 Days of Activism, RHF calls for collective action to heal wounds, break silence, and create a future where no survivor is left behind. Together, we can dismantle cycles of violence and restore hope for all.