Gender Relations; GBV, Conversation Circles & Male Engagement

Over time, IST observed that many male entrepreneurs in market settings lack awareness of human and women’s rights gaps that contribute to the occurrence of violence against women in these spaces. In response, IST launched GBV Male Conversation Circles (trainings) piloted in markets including Nakawa, Kalerwe Bivamuntuuyo, Ntinda, Gulu Main, Cerealeno, and Lacor.

In 2016, IST with support from UN Women conducted a study on: “Women’s access to markets and the nature and extend of GBV experienced by market women.” It revealed that 71% of the market women reported that they knew at least a woman who had been abused and had their rights violated in the past one month, 57% of the market women agreed they have ever experienced violence at work in the markets and at home. This study has informed the different interventions IST has conducted in the different markets which also include; Ending Violence Against Women/Girls trainings for market leaders and market communities, conversation circles with young women in markets who are said to experience more violence and harassment in markets.

From 2023 to the present, IST partnering with WE EFFECT has scaled the initiative beyond markets, engaging both rural and urban cooperatives such as Uganda Housing Cooperative in Luweero District, Isebwe Farmers Marketing Cooperative Society Limited in Kasese District, and Nyamahasa United Area Cooperative in Kiryandongo District.

These conversation circles are designed to increase men’s awareness of human and women’s rights, aiming not only to eliminate violence against women in market environments but also to equip men with the knowledge and tools to prevent and respond to violence within their intimate relationships, families, and communities. The sessions provide a platform for men to learn from and support one another in challenging gender stereotypes, negative social norms, attitudes, and behaviors that perpetuate violence against women and girls in market settings.

To date, more than 16,500 men have benefited from the program.