ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH

ECCA Advocacy and Research department works towards obtaining the commitment and support of policy decision makers and community leaders to address gender based violence issues as the primary objective-This is ECCA's strategic approach that combines a set of actions, undertaken by committed groups, individuals and organizations, to introduce change or obtain support for specific decisions, policies, strategies, programs or allocation of resources to address GBV.

ECCA operates in areas characterized by Gender Based Violence (GBV) due to: ignorance, poverty, powerlessness and general deprivation. Therefore, ECCA is working towards increased awareness of the potential and rights of children, men and women especially women and children. This is done through a working partnership with community organizations and other stake holders for cooperation and support.

These include:

 LC's, Police, the Child Protection Unit, Children and Family's Court, Probation Office, Policy makers and Law Reform Officers.

The NGOs we work with include:

• Uganda Women's Network (UWONET)
• Centre for Domestic Violence (CDV)
• Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)
• Raising Voices
• Legal Aid Clinic
• Uganda Child Rights NGO Network (UCRNN)
• African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN)
• Centre for Girl Child (CGC) and many more.

Objectives

.  Creation of public awareness about the negative effects of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

.  Identify and highlight GBV issues within the community and suggest possible solutions.

.  Influence change in people's attitudes and behavior with regards to Gender Based Violence.

.  Lobby policy makers, law makers and government to formulate realistic policies and a legal framework to ensure the protection of children and women.

Activities

Media programs, Sensitization seminars and workshops, Production and distribution of posters, banners, leaflets, flyers and calendars, Consultative meetings, workshops and Conferences and presentation of working papers to provide a basis for discussion. The legal strategy involves networking with other organizations such as the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA-Uganda) the Judiciary and Law enforcement agencies like the police.

Goal

To obtain commitment and support of policy makers and decision, makers to address the problem of GBV.

Role

To improve the environment in which GBV activities are undertaken in the communities and pave way for more pro-active GBV initiatives.

WHY ADVOCACY?

Adequate funding, favorable policies, and popular support are important to the success of the fight against GBV issues.

Programs need support not only from clients but also from the general public and especially from government, policy makers, funding agencies, the news media, employers, women organizations, religious and community leaders.

Such support cannot be taken for granted; therefore, Uganda 's GBV programs must appeal for more support. Powerful evidence and persuasive arguments must be formulated (as is the case here from our documented media analysis of all GBV cases in the print media- This is a rights' violation monitoring tool that generates daily information on human rights violations from the media.

This information is used to develop proposals around GBV in the struggle against all forms of GBV, in ways that attract and hold the attention of key decision makers and leaders. In essence the advocacy program emphasizes need for prioritized research for a targeted advocacy strategy.

Above all our advocacy strategy is aimed at encouraging others who do not support all forms of GBV to speak up too. Where GBV programs face vocal opposition-

"TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE".