During the 7 years of her marriage, Namuyanja Linnet spent 4 years in misery and depression due to misunderstandings with her husband. During this season, Linnet shared that she was unable to communicate effectively with her husband. “I was fed up with my marriage because there was no communication between me and my husband. He had left the home needs to me, yet I didn’t have any source of income. My husband  had even neglected to pay school fees for our 3 children and we each lived in separate homes.” Linnet said

In 2020, Linnet was lured to join Ssesamu bricklaying women’s Association by her friend who encouraged her to join and get a small loan to solve her financial woes. She joined the group anticipating only that however, in May 2021, the group was selected by FOWODE to benefit from economic empowerment training by FOWODE under their Gender Peace and Accountability Project (GPAP). The project aimed to champion women’s rights and prevent SGBV in the Mityana, Mubende and Wakiso. Through FOWODE’s strategic model of Voice, Power and Resources, Annet was empowered to share her opinion on critical issues affecting her and her community.

“Through GPAP, I understood that I had to speak up about the economic violence that my husband had been putting me through. During one of the civic education meetings, I disclosed my situation to other group members and they decided to pay a visit to my husband. They talked to him about conflict management in the home and after the visit, he returned home and resumed his responsibilities including taking children back to school and caring for me.”

Following GPAP, relations between Linnet and her husband have improved. They plan together and are committed to growing their family together.

“My husband is a new man, after 7 years of marriage, we never had anything tangible but after GPAP, we have been able to put up a house which is more accommodative and bigger.  From the one-roomed house which we occupy, we have been able to build our 3-roomed house, a year after we were visited by FOWODE male champions and some members of my group. We are even at the roofing level and we hope by 2024, it will be well-furnished and done. I thank FOWODE for the empowerment.” Linnet said

Since 2020, FOWODE has worked through women’s groups like Ssesamu bricklaying women’s Association to create a critical mass of change agents with the ability to probe and challenge existing norms, cultural beliefs and practices that continue to undermine the rights of women and girls in Uganda. Through GPAP, over 21,474 community members have been conscientized to promote women’s rights and prevent SGBV in their communities.