Posts in category: Uncategorized

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is gradually declining in Uganda, credit to coordinated efforts across multiple sectors. The country has been particularly focusing on addressing Labia Minora Elongation (LME), a harmful practice targeting girls aged 8-14 that is deeply rooted in cultural misconceptions.

These practices persist due to harmful myths suggesting that labia elongation provides benefits such as reduced birth pain, protection from HIV, prevention of rape, and increased marriageability. State Minister of Gender and Culture, Peace Regis Mutuuzo, has been instrumental in challenging these beliefs, emphasizing that girls are sent to schools to be empowered, not prepared for early marriage.

Recognising the complex nature of FGM, Kitabu Integrated Development Association (KIDA) has developed a multifaceted approach to combat these harmful practices. Their strategy centers on comprehensive education, empowerment, and advocacy. They conduct mobile health camps in schools and villages, explaining the health impacts of Labia Minora Elongation (LME) and other forms of female genital modification.

The organization creates safe spaces for young girls, training peer educators and survivor movements to share their stories. By reducing the shame associated with rejecting LME, they help girls understand their human rights and the physical, sexual, and psychosocial problems associated with these practices. Their work extends to sensitization workshops targeting religious and traditional leaders, challenging the cultural sensitivity surrounding LME.

Critically, the organisation involves men and boys in their campaigns, addressing the misconception that such practices enhance sexual pleasure. Through radio and television talk shows, they increase public awareness about FGM and its consequences. They also educate healthcare workers about the physical and psychosocial impacts, helping to reduce discrimination and marginalization of affected girls.

Key Learnings and Insights

The most profound lesson learnt by KIDA is that FGM affects entire communities, not just individual girls. Young women often practice these harmful traditions due to cultural norms, peer pressure, and expectations from parents and schools. The solution requires a collective approach involving girls, boys, men, women, survivors, stakeholders, communities, and organizations working together to dismantle harmful norms.

Support Needed to Accelerate Change

With only six years remaining to meet the 2030 target of eliminating FGM, urgent support is crucial. KIDA calls for increased investment in grassroots organisations working directly with communities that practice FGM. Collaboration between government, non-governmental organizations, and community members is essential.

On International Day of Zero Tolerance against FGM, KIDA shares “to every young girl, your body is yours alone. You have the right to make choices, to be beautiful and valuable just as you are, and to seek help and support when needed.”

The path to ending FGM is through education, empowerment, and collective action.

#NoExcuse for online abuse

#NoExcuse for online abuse

#ACTtoEndViolence

From 25 November to 10 December 2025

UNite to End Digital Violence against all women and girls, violence against women and girls affect one in three women, 16-58% of women and girls face digital violence

Digital violence is one of the fastest growing forms of gender based violence and abuse, this year’s campaign is a reminder that digital safety is central to gender equality

Digital tools are increasingly being used to stalk, harass and abuse women

There is nonconsensual sharing of intimate images, cyberbullying, online threats, online sexual harassment,  AI-generated fake nudes, videos and audios, hate speech, online tracking and many others

Kasese is the third leading district in GBV, the national launch was in Kasese district honored by the Minister of gender and the UN for joint efforts to end violence against all women and girls

Violence against women and girls is not inevitable and must be stopped, we therefore call on the government of Uganda to pass and enforce laws that criminalize digital violence and protect personal information

Tech companies to ensure platform safety

individuals to speak out, promote survivor led initiatives and challenge harmful online norms,
We call on donors to fund feminist perspectives and approaches to end all forms of violence against Women and girls 

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is gradually declining in Uganda, credit to coordinated efforts across multiple sectors. The country has been particularly focusing on addressing Labia Minora Elongation (LME), a harmful practice targeting girls aged 8-14 that is deeply rooted in cultural misconceptions.

These practices persist due to harmful myths suggesting that labia elongation provides benefits such as reduced birth pain, protection from HIV, prevention of rape, and increased marriageability. State Minister of Gender and Culture, Peace Regis Mutuuzo, has been instrumental in challenging these beliefs, emphasizing that girls are sent to schools to be empowered, not prepared for early marriage.

Recognising the complex nature of FGM, Kitabu Integrated Development Association (KIDA) has developed a multifaceted approach to combat these harmful practices. Their strategy centers on comprehensive education, empowerment, and advocacy. They conduct mobile health camps in schools and villages, explaining the health impacts of Labia Minora Elongation (LME) and other forms of female genital modification.

The organization creates safe spaces for young girls, training peer educators and survivor movements to share their stories. By reducing the shame associated with rejecting LME, they help girls understand their human rights and the physical, sexual, and psychosocial problems associated with these practices. Their work extends to sensitization workshops targeting religious and traditional leaders, challenging the cultural sensitivity surrounding LME.

Critically, the organisation involves men and boys in their campaigns, addressing the misconception that such practices enhance sexual pleasure. Through radio and television talk shows, they increase public awareness about FGM and its consequences. They also educate healthcare workers about the physical and psychosocial impacts, helping to reduce discrimination and marginalization of affected girls.

Key Learnings and Insights

The most profound lesson learnt by KIDA is that FGM affects entire communities, not just individual girls. Young women often practice these harmful traditions due to cultural norms, peer pressure, and expectations from parents and schools. The solution requires a collective approach involving girls, boys, men, women, survivors, stakeholders, communities, and organizations working together to dismantle harmful norms.

Support Needed to Accelerate Change

With only six years remaining to meet the 2030 target of eliminating FGM, urgent support is crucial. KIDA calls for increased investment in grassroots organisations working directly with communities that practice FGM. Collaboration between government, non-governmental organizations, and community members is essential.

On International Day of Zero Tolerance against FGM, KIDA shares “to every young girl, your body is yours alone. You have the right to make choices, to be beautiful and valuable just as you are, and to seek help and support when needed.”

The path to ending FGM is through education, empowerment, and collective action.

In this TV interview, our team tries to explain about the dangers of cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation and Labia Minora Elongation in detail

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.