With the outbreak of COVID-19, a global pandemic and institution of lockdowns, market communities in Uganda were categorized as essential workers who were required to sleep in markets. Though unprepared for life of living and sleeping in the market, it was welcomed by most market women as they endeavored to be at work to make money to feed their families while running their business and also adhering to the presidential directives.

The situation for most women was not desirable as the market women were facing challenges which include but are not limited to; Lack of access to safe drinking water, absence of hygiene and sanitary facilities, no bath shelters/showers making the susceptible to infections, low standards of living in the markets where they had to sleep on their stalls without beddings and exposure to bleeding mosquitoes which would eventually lead to spread of diseases like malaria.

It is with this background that IST initiated an emergency response program for markets countrywide where we supply emergency relief items in form of; handwashing facilities, sanitary towels, tents, mosquito repellants, drinking water, mattresses, blankets, handwashing soap, sanitizers, face masks and aprons. The items promote market women and men’s safety, protection and access to markets during and after the lockdowns.

IST is committed to creating safe, dignified, and empowering environments for women and girls in both formal and informal settings. IST works to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) through awareness creation, community dialogues, and advocacy for stronger protection mechanisms and enforcement of laws that uphold women’s rights.

The organization partners with local leaders, market associations, and community structures to promote safe workplaces, particularly for women in markets and the informal sector. IST also integrates SRHR education and services into its empowerment programs, increasing women’s and youth’s access to information, health services, and decision-making over their bodies and wellbeing.

Through training, mentorship, and community engagement, IST fosters a culture of respect, accountability, and gender equality ensuring that women and girls can live free from violence, make informed health choices, and fully participate in economic and social life.

IST constructed a solar powered water project in Lacor market in Gulu aimed at improving access to safe water, promoting safety and hygiene for reduced incidences of diseases and health risks among market communities. The project will benefit 600 families in and around the market.

Many open markets in Uganda, which are the main workplaces for women in the informal sector, women decry of poor Sanitation and hygiene conditions and the need for access to safe water in these market communities. The sudden outbreak of the global pandemic COVID-19 has aggravated the situation extensively being revealed even by media coverage that majority of markets in Uganda are operating under very poor sanitation and hygiene conditions with poor facilities.

This also justifies the reason why there has been several attempts to close many markets that do not meet the standards. Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services are very critical in this emergency period as the world is battling with curbing down the deadly Corona Virus disease.

Emphasis on ensuring accessibility to safe water, positive behavioral practices like regular hand washing are such an essential part of preventing and protecting human health to avoid possibility of incidences of disease infections and spread. IST has only been able to reach out to only one market and the need for more facilities in other markets remains unmet and calls for immediate intervention and reach.

The Lacor Market Water and Sanitation project was implemented with support from Korea Hope Foundation and Reginald Seawright III.