16 Days of Black: How ActionAid International Uganda Marked 16 Days of Activism

ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) launched a campaign called "16 Days of Black" to commemorate the global Annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at the head office in Kansanga on 27 November. 

The launch involved a press conference by AAIU's Country Director, Xavier Ejoyi, Head of Programs, Mercy Grace Munduru, and partners from FIDA, Police, and MEMPRO. During the launch, staff and partners of AAIU dressed in black to symbolize solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence. 

AAIU's head of programs, Mercy Grace Munduru, highlighted the widening gap in GBV funding despite the increasing GBV cases. She called on the government and other stakeholders to invest in the prevention of gender-based violence. 

While Xavier Ejoyi, the AAIU Country Director, noted that male involvement is part of the strategies being used to fight Gender Based Violence. He said, "Part of the work we do is ensuring that we are getting men as allies in the fight against gender-based violence. We must intentionally recognize that GBV is a serious issue." 

AAIU’s “16 Days of Black” campaign involved a series of activities, including the Symposium to end Teenage Pregnancy and Child Marriages, the launch of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Bench Book, the Anti-Corruption Marathon, two Twitter spaces, and the Anti-Corruption Convention.