Engaging Religious and Cultural Leaders in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices in Karamoja
With funding from the European Union, ActionAid International Uganda held a five-day convening from August 20–28, 2025, bringing together 73 local, cultural, religious, youth, and district leaders from across the Karamoja subregion to discuss how they can use their platforms to advocate against violence against women and end harmful practices.
The convening provided a space for dialogue, reflection, and joint planning. Participants developed action plans and commitments to address female genital mutilation (FGM), child and forced marriages, teenage pregnancies, and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV) affecting women and girls in Karamoja. They also explored the roles of religious and cultural institutions in promoting positive alternatives and supporting the abandonment of harmful practices.
Speaking during the sessions, participants emphasized that involving religious and cultural leaders in the fight against GBV is not only strategic but essential. These leaders hold deep trust, moral authority, and cultural influence within their communities — making them powerful change agents capable of transforming attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that perpetuate violence and inequality.
Despite progress, Karamoja continues to face harmful practices such as FGM, early and forced marriage, gender-based violence, and denial of women’s land rights. These practices have far-reaching effects including school dropouts, poor health outcomes, early pregnancies, family breakdowns, and the continued marginalization of women and girls.
To combat these challenges, with support from the European Union, ActionAid International Uganda is implementing a project on Ending Harmful Practices and Promoting Adolescent Girls’ Rights in Karamoja. The initiative seeks to strengthen community structures, build the capacity of leaders, and ensure that every girl in Karamoja can live a life free from violence, discrimination, and harmful practices.
