The national theme for Uganda this year was “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the Nation: Lets Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women”.
With generous support from the Association for Progressive Communication (APC), WOUGNET organised a number of among which was the SMS campaign. In this article, we share with you a summary of the messages that were sent out during the just concluded 16 days of activism 2011.

Messages 1: 25/11/2011: The 16 days of activism against gender based violence begin today 25/11/2011; End 10/12/2011. Welcome to the SMS campign. To participate, send to 0779053756.

Messages 2: 26/11/2011: Happy relationships are violence free! Choose 2 be Non Violent. It’s in our hands. Join WOUGNET and GBN prevention Ntwk in the activism! Send a msg2 0779053756

Messages 3(i): 27/11/2011: Uganda’s theme for 16Days of Activism against GBV2011 is “From Peace in the home to peace in the Nattion: Let’s chanllenge Militarism & End violence against Women”

Messages 3(ii): 27/11/2011: Be Non violent! Take joing financial decisions, listen & respect each other’s views, negotiate sex etc; How common are these in relationships around you?

Messages 4(i): 28/11/2011: How can you help ur community 2c the benefits of non violence? Talk with the community & opinion leaders about how non violence benefits us all 0772420376

Messages 4(ii): 28/11/2011: WOUGNET invites u to an open Advocacy event on Violence against women & Access to finace. 2pm, Venue: Metropole Hotel , Tuesday 29-Nov-11. RSVP 0772420376

Messages 5: 29/11/2011: WOUGNET invites u to an open Advocacy event on Violence against women & Access to finace. 2pm, Venue: Metropole Hotel , Tuesday 29-Nov-11. RSVP 0772420376

Messages 6(1): 30/11/2011: How does technology like the internet & mobile phones impact on violence against women? What can we do as users of technology use in activism 0779053756

Messages 6(ii): 30/11/2011: How is the media doing when they report on violence? Arethere people working to ensure fair reporting  on sexual violence? How cab you help 0779053756

Messages 7: 01/12/2011: Today is world AIDS 2011, the theme is: ”Getting Zero”. AIDS affects women & men in the same way! Discuss your status with your partner, stop the stigma.

Messages 8: 02/12/2011: Teach community members how to support survivors of violence, believe, don’t blame survivors. Support their choices rather than making choices for them

Messages 9(i): 03/12/2011: How do survivors of violence get justice? What laws /policies exist to help? Some communities pass policies of their own. What can your community do?

Messages 9(ii): 03/12/2011: Women’s rights are human rights; We have a right to be free from violence! Ask people to describe how they will commit to promoting women’s rights today.

Messages 10(i): 04/12/2011: How do religious leaders help prevent sexual violence? Encourage them to talk about non-violence, equality and respect in their sermon or when counselling.

Messages 10(ii): 04/12/2011: What are you going to do today to help to end sexual violence? It’s the small action every day that matters most. 0779053756

Messages 11(i): 05/12/2011: Teach community members hw to support survivors of violence. Believe, don’t blame survivors. Support their choices rather than making choices for them 0779053756

Messages 11(ii): 05/12/2011: Find solutions to address the root cause of sexual violence & abuse of power. Demonstrate respect  and non-violence. Be a role model 0779053756

Messages 12(i): 06/12/2011: What are you going to do today to help to end sexual violence? It’s the small action every day that matters most. 0779053756

Messages 12(ii): 06/12/2011: Have you talked with children about sexual violence? About respecting girls and women equally with boys and men? What do you show them by your example?

Messages 13(i): 07/12/2011: Have an all-inclusive approach involving men. What does it mean to be a man in your community? How does that view prevent or perpetuate sexual violence?

Messages 13(ii): 07/12/2011: How do survivors of violence get justice? What laws/policies exist to help? Some communities pass policies of their own, what can your community do?

Messages 14: 08/12/2011: R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means 2 you. Respect is always personal. What it feels like to you, how you seek to be respected and how you natural express it.

Messages 15(i): 09/12/2011: Before we attack the perpetrators of violence, Let us first train women and girls on how to protect themselves from the violent people! Salama

Messages 15(ii): 09/12/2011: The music industry in Uganda promotes GBV! What can be done to stop this because they have more audience than us (activists). Salama

Messages 16(i): 10/12/2011: Break the silence! GBV & VAW cannot be tolerated. Speak out against violence in your family and or neighbourhood today. Violence ends with you!

Messages 16(ii): 10/12/2011: This SMS campaign was brough to you by WOUGNEt with support from the APC. Thank you for participating. The Activism against GBV continues!

By Maureen Agena