Violence Against Women - a True Manhood campaign

The Young Empowered and Healthy (Y.E.A.H.)’s current campaign on violence against women is conducted under the True Manhood banner which began in 2009 to challenge young men to do what it takes to protect themselves and their partners from HIV by addressing alcohol use and abuse, violence against women and transactional sex.

Launched in November 2011, the violence against women (VAW) campaign is conducted at the community level using the Good Deal Gone Bad comic book discussion guide, a pedagogical tool designed to strengthen the capacity of young men in addressing issues of domestic violence. Using the storyline and characters from the Rock Point 256 radio drama series (in its 8th year of broadcast reaching approximately 70% of 15-24 year olds) and Good Deal Gone Bad comic book, the discussion guide leads group discussions in preventing and responding to violence against women.

Members of youth advisory groups, peer educators and police community liaison officers lead community sessions using the discussion guide, and since earlier this year have reached over 14,900 young people. These small group activities cover not only issues on violence against women but also alcohol, multiple concurrent partnerships and prevention of and testing for HIV. Tools developed by Y.E.A.H. are used including discussion guides, comic books, trigger videos and interactive games.

In order to strengthen interventions on prevention of violence against women, members from local councils from 33 districts were oriented on the Uganda Domestic Violence Act and discussions facilitated about how they can integrate VAW activities in their activities and budgets.

The Health Communication Partnership (HCP) provides technical assistance and funding to the Y.E.A.H. initiative.