Gender and Human Rights Advocacy
IDIWA focuses on transformative and systemic change that addresses the root barriers preventing gender equality, rather than seeking to change women to adapt to discriminatory systems. This is achieved through strengthening women and girls with disabilities to exercise their human right to live free from all forms of violence; promotion of positive behaviors, practices and attitudes; strengthening mechanisms for prevention, protection, response, and accountability to End violence against women and girls with disabilities; improving access to essential, specialist, safe and adequate multi-sectoral services; and strengthening women’s movement building to enhance collective power and challenge patriarchal and intersecting oppressive ideologies and deep structures that foster violence against women and girls with disabilities.
Impact
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- Over the past 25 years IDIWA has influenced enactment of 5 district ordinance and policies on , Education, Sexual Reproductive Health, Employment and Gender Based Violence and Climate Justice, to enable local government address local issues of concern to PWDs, especially women and girls. These legal frameworks are important references for disability inclusive planning in targeted districts
- IDIWA has raised the bar for sustained influence of girls and young women with disabilities in decision-making, and disability inclusion in local government planning and budgeting. 19 budget lines were created as a result of 23 position papers and alternative OPD budgets presented by GYWD to the local government authorities during planning meetings and budget conferences
- IDIWA has effectively supported prosecution of 250 GBV cases including 25 rape, defilement, land and property cases through judicial courts, while the rest of the cases are resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution -ADR, especially mediation led by trained paralegals, probation officers, and police family units. We are increasingly witnessing harmonious relationships, and reduction in GBV cases reported in targeted communities
- IDIWA has created a core team of 500 trained paralegals, who have positively influenced society through consciousness raising and human rights awareness. They are now recognized as first responders to sexual and gender based violence, and communities seek their intervention and mediation in GBV cases
- IDIWA has significantly contributed to accessibility in SGBV service centers points including health centers, schools, police, judicial courts, and government administration offices. These GBV service centers have built 47 access ramps, and procured 37 wheelchairs, 32 adjustable labor beds and examination coaches, and made provisions for sign language interpretation during court cases on 3 occasions
- Through community dialogue meetings and radio programs, community members, parents and care givers of children and young women with disabilities have appreciated human rights and embraced their role to report and follow up cases to ensure justice is achieved, and protect children, girls and young women with disabilities against violence in their households and communities
- Encouraged women’s movement building to collectively promote gender equality, and advance progress on ending violence against women and girls with disabilities. IDIWA spearheaded the formation of Busoga GBV and Disability Rights Network -GBVDR NET, which comprises of 29 groups, associations of women and girls with disabilities, Women’s Rights Organizations, and Young Feminist Groups, to confront the shadow pandemic against women and girls, especially those with disabilities. The network has become a sounding board for women and girls with disabilities in many ways. For example, Network played a leading role in