Activity: Pi­lot Pro­ject: Her­Right!

In Sub-Saharan Africa, violence against women and girls (VaWG) is particularly high among fishing communities on inland lakes, including Lake Victoria and the surrounding beaches. On Marenga beach in Busia district, the so-called Jaboya system, a harmful cultural practice in which female traders enter into sexual relations with fishermen to secure their fish supply, is a unique form of violence against women and girls. This practice exposes them to various forms of abuse, including emotional abuse and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). There is clear evidence that this type of "survival sex", which is transactional in nature, often coexists with other risky sexual behaviors, such as early onset of sexual activities, simultaneous sexual partnerships and inconsistent condom use. Young women and girls from low-income backgrounds who have to live off the lake's yield and other vulnerable women, such as widows, engage in survival sex to meet the basic needs of their families. Furthermore, survival sex is an extreme expression of unequal gender relations, a serious violation of human rights and a central obstacle to the achievement of gender equality. The fight against SGBV is therefore crucial for poverty reduction and sustainable economic development.

The aim of the project is to create a suitable environment in which women and girls can enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and live free from violence in the fishing community of Marenga. 

The project focused mainly on capacity building of the beach management unit (BMU) and the development and integration of a strategy to prevent VaWG. The members of the BMU received targeted training in the areas of SGBV, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and leadership, and a gender desk was established. Awareness campaigns were implemented, and public events as well as dialogue forums were organized. The capacities of the gender desk staff have been built up to offer survivors of VaWG psychosocial and legal advice. In addition, 10 gender champions were selected and trained in the areas of interest representation, leadership and media work. Furthermore, 75 young women and girls were supported in vocational training, business start-up packages were provided for young women and girls and the foundation of youth savings and loan associations was supported. 

The HerRight! pilot project has helped to strengthen the capacity of the BMU to deal with VaWG and to develop a strategy to combat VaWG. With the establishment of the gender desk, a contact point for affected persons was created, which enables them to deal with gender-specific issues, including SGBV, and implement measures.  Awareness-raising work has promoted exchange and expanded the knowledge of the BMU and the population on VaWG and SGBV. Support for young women and girls has improved the socioeconomic situation.