Uganda
Uganda, another of the largest refugee hosting countries in the world and one with a high population of South Sudanese refugees, served as the second Empowered Aid project site. Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in northern Uganda is one of the largest refugee camps in the world, hosting almost 240,000 refugees from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi. Bidi Bidi is a rural and widely dispersed settlement that covers approximately 234 square kilometers. Imvepi Refugee Settlement, a nearby settlement and a second site where women and girls took part in the project, hosts about 70,000 refugees. South Sudanese refugee women and girl co-researchers in Uganda identified the following risks:
- Food distributions were noted as the highest source of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) followed by shelter assistance. Other forms of gender-based violence (GBV) related primarily to hygiene and sanitation, as well as to fuel and firewood assistance.
- Transportation to and from distribution sites poses a notable threat to women and girls in Uganda, as boda boda (motorcycle) drivers in particular often sexually exploit women and girls who are travelling
- SEA risks increase when women and girls travel to unfamiliar areas to collect grass for shelter, roofs, or firewood. Members of the community often attempt to exploit them while they collect grass.
- SEA was mentioned in relation to a variety of perpetrators–for example, contractors who come into the settlements to build homes for women and girls, security guards who grant access at water points, and water truck drivers.
Recommendations from South Sudanese refugee women and girls for preventing SEA:
- Organize refugee—host community information and dispute resolution sessions
- Provide more construction support to build houses safely, especially for vulnerable groups
- Support women and girls to organize response mechanisms when they feel unsafe or at risk (sounding an "alarm").
- Install lighting and WASH points closer to refugee communities
- Increase security – especially female security workers – at distribution points
- Uganda-specific Resources
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Phase 2 Pilot Reports in Uganda
This booklet shares the reports from the four pilots conducted in Uganda – the first food distribution, dignity kit distribution, the second food distribution, and a solar lamp distribution – to test recommendations made by women and girls that could increase their safety at aid distributions. The booklet contains the summary report for each pilot as well as individual reports for each of the tools used during the distribution. The tools used by the distribution team, and how they planned for the distributions can be found in the Toolkit for Planning and Monitoring Safer Aid Distributions on the “Manuals and Toolkits” tab.
Empowered Aid in Uganda
Empowered Aid: Participatory action research with refugee women & girls to better prevent sexual exploitation & abuse | Uganda Country Report
This report shares findings from the first phase of Empowered Aid in Uganda around risks of sexual exploitation and abuse in relation to food, WASH, shelter, and fuel & firewood, throughout the distribution process. It is based on rigorous, longitudinal qualitative research with women and girls living in Bidi Bidi and Imvepi refugee settlements in Uganda. The report also summarizes findings related to other types of distribution-related gender-based violence. It provides targeted, action-oriented recommendations to make aid distributions safer for women and girls, grounded in their own voices.
Empowered Aid: Participatory action research with refugee women & girls to better prevent sexual exploitation & abuse | Uganda Policy Brief
This brief shares findings from the first phase of Empowered Aid in Uganda around risks of sexual exploitation and abuse in relation to food, WASH, shelter, and fuel & firewood, throughout the distribution process. It is based on rigorous, longitudinal qualitative research with women and girls living in Bidi Bidi and Imvepi refugee settlements in Uganda. It provides targeted, action-oriented recommendations to make aid distributions safer for women and girls, grounded in their own voices.
Empowered Aid: Participatory action research with refugee women & girls to better prevent sexual exploitation & abuse | Uganda COVID-19 Brief
This brief summarizes recommendations to prevent & respond to SEA in the context of COVID-19.
Empowered Aid: Participatory action research with refugee women & girls to better prevent sexual exploitation & abuse | Uganda Sector-Specific Briefs
Empowered Aid Uganda sector brief: SEA in relation to Food Aid
This brief summarizes key findings around SEA in relation to food distribution and provides targeted recommendations to make food distribution safer for women and girls.
Empowered Aid Uganda sector brief: SEA in relation to WASH Assistance
This brief summarizes key findings around SEA in relation to WASH and provides targeted recommendations to make WASH assistance safer for women and girls.
Empowered Aid Uganda sector brief: SEA in relation to Shelter Assistance
This brief summarizes key findings around SEA in relation to shelter aid and provides targeted recommendations to make shelter-related distributions safer for women and girls.
Empowered Aid Uganda sector brief: SEA in relation to Fuel & Firewood Assistance
This brief summarizes key findings around SEA in relation to fuel & firewood and provides targeted recommendations to make fuel & firewood assistance safer for women and girls.
