ActionAid Launches Safe Space for Women and Girls in Imvepi Refugee Settlement.
ActionAid International Uganda(AAIU) officially launched a newly reconstructed Women and Girls’ Safe Space in Imvepi Refugee Settlement on 30 June, to support the protection, psychosocial wellbeing, and economic empowerment of women and girls within the settlement and host communities.
Originally established in 2017, the centre had collapsed due to strong winds. With funding from ActionAid Denmark, AAIU undertook a full reconstruction of the facility, which now stands as a model safe space in the settlement.
“This was a temporary structure that was blown away by wind. But now it is the only safe space with a fence in the settlement. It is a role model center,” said Davis Badaru, Protection Officer, Danish Refugee Council, Imvepi Field Office.
In a significant improvement, the center also hosts a newly established Agroecological Training Centre, funded by Electric Aid through ActionAid Ireland. This initiative equips women and girls with skills in sustainable organic farming practices such as vegetable growing, production of seedlings, apiary, livestock and water for Irrigation. The women also participate in savings groups, creating a pathway to economic independence.
"As they learn, they replicate these practices in their households and neighborhood. The women and girls center through a holistic approach integrates agroecology as a gear for protection and economic empowerment. This is surely a holistic model, “said David Asubu, Northern Region Ag. Coordinator, ActionAid International Uganda.
For many women, the training on agroecological practices is already yielding real impact. “I thank ActionAid for teaching us about apiary (a collection of beehives.). I started harvesting honey and even trained my brother in Sudan, who now sells honey and supports me financially,” said Susan Suya, a Sudanese Refugee who is a model farmer at the agroecological center.
“The biggest challenge is trauma among women and girls caused by war. At the center, they access indoor and outdoor recreation, structured counselling, and other healing services,” Asubu added.
The center’s services are being delivered in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council, UNHCR, Office of the Prime Minister, and ActionAid International Uganda to ensure a multi-sectoral response to the protection needs of women and girls affected by war. The standard services provided by the center includes, psychosocial activities such as case identification, counselling and referrals, experience sharing and learning, skills development and games and sports for refugees and host communities.
To restore hope and dignity, ActionAid equipped the center with items such as balls and board games for women and children. Sanitary towels for women and girls, four sewing machines to enable skills development and office furniture’s to enhance trainings, experience sharing and learning.
Loketa Women and Girls’ Centre is a beacon of resilience, empowerment, and transformation, laying the foundation for lasting change in refugee communities.
With the shrinking donor support to refugee programmes, the center offers a sustainable model that empowers women to support themselves and their families while addressing deep-rooted trauma and other related protection needs such as livelihood.
“The biggest challenge is trauma among women and girls caused by war. At the center, they access indoor and outdoor recreation, structured counselling, and other healing services,” Asubu added.
The center’s services are being delivered in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council, UNHCR, Office of the Prime Minister, and ActionAid International Uganda to ensure a multi-sectoral response to the protection needs of women and girls affected by war.
The standard services provided by the center includes, psychosocial activities such as case identification, counselling and referrals, experience sharing and learning, skills development and games and sports for refugees and host communities.
To restore hope and dignity, ActionAid equipped the center with items such as balls and board games for women and children. Sanitary towels for women and girls, four sewing machines to enable skills development and office furniture’s to enhance trainings, experience sharing and learning.
Loketa Women and Girls’ Centre is a beacon of resilience, empowerment, and transformation, laying the foundation for lasting change in refugee communities.
