Lucy’s Story: Surviving Gender-Based Violence in Uganda
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Lucy’s early days of marriage were no honeymoon.
She suffered repeated beatings and abuse from her husband. Abuse she endured for 45 years, so her five children would not grow up without a mother.
The repeated attacks left scars that she still lives with.
“I still hurt from the injuries… This man was determined to finish my life.
“He was seeing another woman, who was younger and beautiful, so he intentionally wanted me out of his life. But I decided to stay in this marriage for the sake of my children.
“When my life was in danger, a friend introduced me to ActionAid’s Gender-Based Violence Shelter in Amuru, where I sought help.”
Unfortunately, when Lucy’s husband learned about her seeking support, it led to further beatings and forced her to flee her family home.
“That day, I fled from my home and ran to the local chairman’s office for refuge.
“I couldn’t return home, so I was sheltered at the chairman’s home, and the following day the chairman accompanied me to ActionAid, where I filed a complaint against my husband.”
Working with the ActionAid team, the police arrested her husband and detained him for questioning. The case was filed, and ActionAid’s legal team supported Lucy to push for timely court proceedings, and he was incarcerated.
Thankfully, Lucy is safe.
She received counselling and healthcare from our shelter, and finally had a safe space to start healing.
When she felt physically able to leave, Lucy returned to her home, but she kept up with the court sessions until the final verdict and justice were served.
“I found a reason to smile again…I am stable and healing, and I have full control of my life now.”
“I don’t want to remember those bad times, but I am so grateful to ActionAid for working with the police to help me. I am a free woman at last.”
Today Lucy is a survivor of violence thanks to her incredible courage and the unknown bounds of a mother’s determination for her children.
Why ActionAid works with women in Uganda
In Uganda, violence against women exceeds both global and African standards. 19 out of 20 women in Uganda have experienced physical or sexual violence.
Despite having a population of 45.9 million people, there are only 25 women’s shelters to support 146 districts in Uganda and ActionAid supports 10 of these. Government funding of these shelters is less than 1%, which leaves ActionAid to cover over 80% of operational costs for the shelters. In 2023, 60,798 survivors were supported, but in 2024, this dropped to 31,471 due to financial constraints.
Through our Women, Peace and Security program, we also work with women from conflict affected areas in Uganda to increase their access to justice, leadership, peace, and security.
This programs helps women from conflict affected areas have their immediate economic and health care rights met and have access to protection pathways when they need it most. This includes ensuring survivors of violence have access to training to improve and protect their livelihoods. We also train women to deliver mental health and trauma support for survivors of conflict and violence in their communities.
Through this program, ActionAid establishes national and regional platforms within communities in Uganda to strengthen women’s collective action. We support women to increase their knowledge on peace and security, and to hold their government accountable. This enables women to advocate for their rights and strengthen their leadership in the community.
ActionAid also supports women to build community generated evidence to inform and influence policy makers at regional and national level. This includes ensuring women participate in women, peace, and security decision-making processes at national, regional, and international levels to improve access to justice for survivors of violence.
How you can help
Earlier this year, USAID cut $10 million in support to ActionAid Uganda. This has impacted on our ability to meet the needs of survivors of gender-based violence. For ActionAid over $60 million in life-saving support is at risk due to USAID cuts.
Without urgent investment into our programs supporting Women, Peace, and Security, thousands of survivors of violence will remain vulnerable, with limited access to shelter, medical care, legal aid, and counselling.
At a time when funding for programs that focus on gender and diversity is under threat, you can champion the work of women leading change, to ensure women don’t just survive, but thrive, with your support today. Donate Now.