Strengthening the VAWG Prevention Ecosystem

This report is the product of a meeting focused on advancing the field of VAWG prevention. It highlights the vision for a robust and healthy ecosystem, identifies current gaps and priorities, and proposes strategies to bridge these gaps.

For more details, please check: – https://raisingvoices.org/resources/strengthening-the-vawg-prevention-ecosystem/

New Resource Alert – Unpacking Practice Based Learning!

We are excited to launch our newest resource: ‘Unpacking practice-based learning for practitioners and activists preventing violence against women and children!’ We created this short and accessible Infosheet to share Raising Voices’ evolving perspectives on practice-based learning — including the five key characteristics, how to nurture it within activist organizations, practical ideas for boosting rigor and a clarification of common myths and misperceptions. Our hope is that this resource provides relatable and actionable talking points to strengthen investments in practice-based learning–as well as extra inspiration for all of us to deepen our learning and knowledge generation for more impactful VAW and VAC prevention. Find it here – https://raisingvoices.org/resources/unpacking-practice-based-learning-for-practitioners-and-activists

Happy reading!

Reaching 3,756 teachers on preventing corporal punishment

From May 21 to June 20, 2024, the VAC team ran an SMS campaign on the consequences of corporal punishment while providing teachers with tips on anger management and resisting the temptation of using corporal punishment on learners. The campaign was building on the positive discipline campaign to respond to challenges teachers were experiencing as they tried to use positive disciplinary measures.

Through the Good School program, we support over 1,000 schools to create a violence-free learning environment. One of the ideas that the program promotes is the use of positive discipline. However, teachers have struggled with transitioning out of using corporal punished due to getting angered by learners’ misconduct and repeated misbehavior, among other challenges. Upon learning these barriers, we designed a one-month SMS campaign to support teachers who desire to change. The campaign was crowned by an e-newsletter that was shared with the teachers via WhatsApp. From the SMS campaign, we have learned that teachers appreciate the tips, use creative alternatives that work for them, and recommend Raising Voices run the same campaigns with parents.

Take a peak at our 2023 highlights!

As a learning organization, we relish opportunities to take stock, reflect and draw out collective insights emerging from our work. In this spirit, we are excited to share our 2023 Annual Report. This one is extra special – the inaugural year of our new 2023-2027 strategy! Take a peak to learn all about last year’s journey in VAW and VAC prevention. We also recount highlights from our organizational learning and communications, and reflect on the big takeaways that carried us into 2024.

Raising Voices Formalizes Partnerships with Government Ministries

In 2023, Raising Voices signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development (MGLSD) and the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) to promote the well-being of children and promote quality education by preventing violence against children in schools.

The MOUs aim to strengthen Raising Voices’ relationship with the two ministries to prevent violence against children (VAC) in and through schools and to advocate for the rollout of activities from the Good School Toolkit (GST) to all primary and secondary schools in Uganda. The GST is Raising Voices’s approach to supporting schools to prevent VAC.

Entering an MOU with the MOES and with the MGLSD leverages our influencing position to contribute to VAC prevention and school-related policies and discussions, benefit from knowledge sharing, and tap into the Ministries’ vast network to build synergies for smoother implementation of the GST and VAC prevention.

Raising Voices at the ISPCAN Congress!