KAMPALA, Uganda – On Tuesday, November 26, stakeholders visited the SAUTI-116 Helpline in Kireka as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The visit aimed to raise awareness about the critical services provided by the SAUTI system in supporting survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Children (VAC).
Uganda has made significant progress in addressing GBV and VAC, but the statistics remain alarming. According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (2016), 56% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. Furthermore, the Uganda Police Force’s Crime Report (2020) indicates that 7,168 cases of domestic violence were reported in 2020 alone.
The SAUTI-116 Helpline, established in 2014, is a toll-free, 24/7 hotline that provides a safe and confidential space for survivors of GBV and VAC to report incidents and access support services. The helpline has received over 1 million calls since its inception, with a significant increase in calls during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the visit, stakeholders had the opportunity to interact with the SAUTI-116 Helpline staff and learn about the challenges they face in providing support services to survivors. The staff shared stories of the countless calls they receive daily, with many survivors seeking help for physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
Rashidah, a survivor of GBV, shared her personal story of resilience and hope. Her story began in 2018 when she became pregnant at the tender age of 17.
Fearful of her parents’ reaction, Rashidah and her boyfriend were forced to flee. They faced immense hardship, struggling to find shelter, food, and employment. Eventually, they sought refuge with her boyfriend’s brother, who, despite his own limited resources, offered them food and temporary shelter.
However, Rashidah’s situation took a turn for the worse. Her boyfriend became increasingly abusive, quarrelsome, and emotionally torturous. He even denied responsibility for the pregnancy. Rashidah endured violent conditions throughout her pregnancy and eventually gave birth.
However, with the support of the SAUTI-116 Helpline and other organizations, Rashidah was able to access counseling, economic empowerment, and legal support.
Rashidah’s story serves as a testament to the resilience of survivors of GBV and the impact of economic empowerment and support systems in transforming lives.
Mr. Mugisha John, National Coordinator for Sauti 116 Helpline, shared insights into the helpline’s operations and the trends they’ve observed over the past decade.
Established 10 years ago, the Sauti 116 helpline provides a platform for reporting abuse and violence. Operating 24/7, the helpline receives calls from across the country, with the central region recording the highest number of calls due to its proximity to the city and ease of access to information.
According to Mr. Mugisha, the helpline receives approximately 1,000 calls daily, with 40 to 50 cases related to violence requiring urgent attention. The most commonly reported cases involve child neglect by men, followed by physical and sexual violence.
“Other issues reported to the helpline include emotional violence, trafficking, online sex abuse, and exploitation. Notably, men are the primary perpetrators of abuse reported to the helpline.”
When a call is received and identified as a case, he explains it is forwarded to the case work section, which connects the individual with relevant stakeholders, including the police, district probation officers, local council officials, state attorneys, legal aid service providers, child care institutions, and other partners.
Mr. Mugisha highlighted that 90% of the cases received involve children, while 10% are related to gender-based violence (GBV). Despite the availability of services, he noted that a significant gap remains in terms of access to information.
“Services are in place, and the government and partners have invested heavily, but people are either ignoring or unaware of these services,” Mr. Mugisha emphasized. “We need to do more to raise awareness.”
Ambassador Maria Håkansson of Sweden emphasized the importance of working together to achieve positive outcomes in the fight against GBV.
“We must never blame the victims. There’s no excuse for gender-based violence or rape, regardless of circumstances,” she said.
Ms. Gift Malunga, UNFPA Country Representative, reiterated the need for collective action in addressing GBV.
“The SAUTI-116 Helpline is a critical component of the GBV response system in Uganda, providing a safe and confidential space for survivors to report incidents and access support services.”
Minister of State for Gender, Peace Mutuuzo, expressed gratitude to UNFPA, the Swedish Embassy, and other partners for investing in Uganda’s vulnerable populations. She encouraged survivors of violent experiences to stand firm and serve as testimonies, inspiring others to report similar experiences.
Mutuuzo noted that government programs aimed at addressing income issues, such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), have ironically become a source of violence. “Partners are fighting over control of funds, leading to economic violence.” She observed that men are now using emotional torture instead of physical violence.
The Minister emphasized the need to quantify the economic losses resulting from violence.” This includes costs associated with managing violence cases in hospitals, police investigations, court proceedings, and helplines. These resources could be better allocated to essential services like healthcare and education.”
Mutuuzo also highlighted the importance of promoting gender equality, emphasizing that women’s empowerment should not be used to undermine men. “Instead, the focus should be on creating a society where both men and women can thrive without violence or discrimination.”
The visit to the SAUTI-116 Helpline was a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of GBV on individuals, families, and communities. It also highlighted the critical role that stakeholders must play in supporting survivors and working towards a GBV-free society. As Uganda continues to grapple with the challenges of GBV, the SAUTI-116 Helpline remains a beacon of hope for survivors, providing a safe and confidential space for them to report incidents and access support services.
