The Joint Programme on Gender-Based Violence in north and northeastern Uganda brought together the efforts of UNFPA, UN Women, FAO and UNICEF, working in partnership with government, civil society and communities. It aimed to reduce gender-based violence and protect and empower women and girls to assert their rights.

The project worked to increase access to high-quality, child-friendly services for survivors of violence. It also aimed to reduce social tolerance of gender-based violence through awareness raising and community engagement – including by engaging men and boys and by increasing economic opportunities for women. At the same time, it worked to foster a legal and policy environment conducive to greater accountability for violence prevention and response.

The project’s third phase, from 2014 to 2017, focused on strengthening and consolidating the interventions introduced in the first two phases. To ensure their sustainability after the project’s end, it worked to strengthen the capacities of central and local government, civil society and communities to mobilize and leverage local resources.