Cultural and Religious Leaders Equipped to Strengthen Disability-Inclusive Child Protection and Prevent SGBV in Kapchorwa
Cultural and religious leaders in Kapchorwa District have undergone training aimed at strengthening disability-inclusive child protection and preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through community engagement and survivor-centered approaches.
The training, conducted under the theme “Strengthening Disability-Inclusive Child Protection and SGBV Prevention through Community Engagement and Survivor-Centered Approaches,” in partnership with Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD) and Building Effective Networks (BEN) sought to strengthen the capacity of cultural and religious leaders to promote positive gender norms, disability-inclusive SGBV referral pathways, safeguarding, positive parenting, and survivor-centered approaches within their communities.
The initiative comes at a time when safe community campaigns across Kapchorwa District continue to reveal the vulnerability of Children and Youth with Disabilities (CYWDs).
The campaigns exposed major challenges, including inaccessible infrastructure, parental neglect, stigma, and increased exposure to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. However, they also identified resilient schools and community institutions with the potential to drive lasting change when adequately supported.
During the training, participants were equipped with practical knowledge on transforming harmful gender norms, promoting inclusive safeguarding practices, strengthening referral pathways for survivors of SGBV, and protecting children and youth with disabilities from abuse and discrimination.
The sessions also emphasized the role of cultural and religious institutions in promoting positive parenting, challenging harmful social norms, and ensuring that survivors receive appropriate care, protection, and referrals to relevant service providers.
The training further enhanced coordination between cultural leaders, religious leaders, the Probation Office, the Child and Family Protection Unit (CFPU), the education sector, and civil society organizations, creating stronger community-based protection networks for women, children, and persons with disabilities.
As a result, participants committed to advocating for the inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in churches, mosques, schools, and other community structures while strengthening grassroots systems for reporting and responding to SGBV cases.
Participants also called for regular refresher training on safeguarding and disability inclusion, stronger community referral pathways for SGBV survivors, improved accessibility in public institutions, and better data collection on children and youth with disabilities by faith-based and cultural institutions.
Other recommendations included increasing community awareness on positive parenting and non-violent discipline, strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration services for street children, and enhancing collaboration among civil society organizations, the Probation Office, the Child and Family Protection Unit, and local leaders.
The training concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to promoting positive gender norms, safeguarding children, and creating inclusive communities where children and youth with disabilities can live free from violence, discrimination, and exclusion.
Stakeholders emphasized that sustained collaboration and follow-up actions will be essential in translating the knowledge gained into stronger community protection systems and improved support for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.