In Uganda, Youth people consistently face threats to their safety and security. This project will equip over 120 Youth individuals in rural Uganda with the skills and tools necessary to protect themselves on the streets of Uganda as well as online.
In a recent survey, Mbarara Rise Foundation found that 71% of respondents ages 18 to 35 have faced brutal arrests, torture by the police, or have been evicted from their homes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This feeling of insecurity often results in feelings of depression or desperation, leading to members of our community developing suicidal thoughts. One out of five respondents reported feeling depressed or suicidal.
Four staff members from Mbarara Rise Foundation were recently trained by Defenders Protection Initiative, a respected Ugandan NGO that provides contextualized security and safety trainings, to teach personal and digital security management skills to the broader Youth community. Over the next 12 months, MRF staff will train 120 community members in both personal and digital safety security measures.
This project will provide and support 120 community members with the basic skills, information, and tools to live safer and more secure lives. The long-term impact of this is tremendous. As community members gain these skills, they will be better able to secure employment, housing, and will be better equipped to organize and socialize in the face of institutionalized homophobia.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
