From Silence To Strength: Transforming the Fight against Gender Based Violence in Kalangala.

Group Photo with Heroes staff representatives and the community in Kasekulo, Kalangala District.

Credit: E-Pictures Media

On the island communities of Kalangala District, life is shaped by water, mobility, and tight-knit fishing settlements. But for years, these same dynamics also created conditions where gender-based violence (GBV) often went unreported, hidden by stigma, limited services, and economic vulnerability.

Today, that reality is steadily changing through the Heroes For Gender Transformative Action program, funded by the Netherlands and Iceland embassies & implemented by Amref Uganda in partnership with MIFUMI & Cordaid. By combining community dialogue, survivor-centered services, and economic empowerment, the program is helping women and girls move from silence to strength.

Building Safe Spaces for Survivors

Across the HEROES districts, including Kalangala, over 19,000 women and girls have accessed social justice, GBV prevention and response services. Central to this transformation has been the establishment of 18 advice centers, bringing confidential counseling and referral services closer to communities that previously had none. At Kasekulo landing site, one of the program’s active community hubs, survivors now meet periodically in peer-support sessions designed to rebuild confidence and social networks.

“These spaces allow survivors to speak without fear or judgment,” explained Luzze Daniel, a trainer under the program’s skilling initiative. “When women realize they are not alone, healing begins.”

To strengthen peer-led recovery, the program has supported the creation of more than 30 Survivor Support Groups (SSGs) where women share experiences, learn life skills, and rebuild economic independence.

From Vulnerability to Economic Independence

Economic dependence has long been a major driver of GBV in island communities. Limited livelihood options often forced women to remain in abusive relationships.

Immaculate Akello, GBV Project Lead at MIFUMI noted that “Economic violence is a big issue. Many women remain trapped in abusive relationships due to financial dependence. By equipping them with skills, we are helping them become less reliant on those who harm them.”

Through the HEROES initiative, approximately 450 adolescent girls and young women have received skills training and financial literacy support. Beneficiaries are linked to local technical institutions and community savings groups to sustain their progress and also save for health. Nankya Promise, a young mother and a trainee in tailoring, shared how the program changed her life:

“Before joining the group, I had left my abusive husband to live with my sister although my options were limited. But now, because I have been skilled in sewing, I produce, sell and save with the group. When I make a dress at Shs15,000, I save Shs5,000 and use the remaining Shs10,000 for necessities like food, soap and sugar.” she said, her face beaming with joy.

Economic empowerment has not only improved household stability but also strengthened survivors’ confidence to report violence.

Strengthening Referral and Legal Support Systems

A major barrier to GBV reporting in remote island settings has been the cost and complexity of accessing justice services. The HEROES program addressed this gap by strengthening referral pathways linking communities to health facilities, police, legal actors, and social services. The program also supported case management processes and advocacy efforts that reduced financial barriers associated with reporting GBV cases. As a result, tools like E-voucher card were introduced.

Community-based Gender Response Groups have further improved coordination among service providers, ensuring faster and more survivor-centered responses.

Changing Norms through Community Dialogue

Beyond service delivery, the program has prioritized social norm transformation through structured community dialogues engaging men, cultural leaders, and youth. These dialogues are gradually reshaping attitudes toward gender equality and shared responsibility in preventing violence.

Kaweesi Edward, the Chairperson LC1 of Kasekulo added that “We are seeing a change. Families are discussing issues openly, and men are becoming partners in protecting our women and girls.”

While addressing the community during a dialogue, Dr. Patrick Kagurusi, the country Manager of Amref Uganda emphasized that for empowerment to happen, there must be a mindset change. One must leave behind what has been hurting them and focus on improving the outcomes of their future.

A Partnership Driving Lasting Impact

The progress recorded in Kalangala reflects the strength of collaboration between community structures, district leadership, and development partners supporting the HEROES program. Through integrated interventions that combine prevention, response, and empowerment, the program is helping island communities move toward safer, more equitable environments for women and girls.

As the HEROES program transitions toward close-out in Kalangala District, district leadership has committed to sustaining key interventions through a structured Operations and Maintenance (O&M) strategy. The Chief Administrative Officer, Ssebandeke Richard emphasized district ownership as central to continuity, while Michael Muyonga, the Heroes Program Manager at Amref Uganda, noted that;

“Sustainability is achievable because the program has strengthened existing systems, including community-based organizations, health workers, and District Health Office structures. The partnerships with schools will ensure continued delivery of Comprehensive Sexuality Education, while trained advice centers and community champions will sustain case management and referral pathways beyond the project lifecycle.”

With strengthened systems and empowered communities, Kalangala is steadily turning the tide against gender-based violence, ensuring that even in the most remote island settings, no survivor is left behind.

Related: Story by the NewVision

Photo credits: E-Pictures Media

By Communications at Amref Uganda

Amref Health Africa

Amref Health Africa teams up with African communities to create lasting health change.