Feminature Supports & Applauds the Passing of the Arua City SGBV Ordinance 2024

• Community Outreach
• Admin / 01 Apr, 2025

Arua city Takes a Giant Leap Towards Ending Gender-Based Violence.  In a very welcome move, Arua City Council has successfully enacted the Arua City GBV ordinance 2024, a significant step towards combating Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the city. This milestone is a result of collaborative and tireless efforts by local authorities, human rights organizations, stakeholders, and community leaders spearheaded by SIHA Network. The ordinance aims to provide a stronger platform for addressing SGBV, which has been a persistent threat to Human Rights, particularly women’s rights, in the region. Gender based violence statistics in 2024 by November are alarming with 502 reported cases of domestic violence, 10 rape cases and 62 cases of defilement in Arua city and the ordinance seeks to minimize the impact of violence on survivors’ lives by allowing them to access quick support services.

During the seconding reading of the SGBV bill at Arua City before it was passed to an ordinance.

Feminature Uganda, an eco-feminist Women-led organization, has been at the forefront of advocating for the enactment of this ordinance. The organization focuses on civic education, governance, human rights and sexual reproductive health rights. For Feminature Uganda, a resilient and sustainable society is one where women and youth are protected from SGBV. The ordinance has undergone a rigorous process, with stakeholder meetings held on July 12, 2024, August 2, 2024, and October 21, 2024. The bill was finalized after the second and third reading on November 4 and 5, respectively. While the ordinance awaits final approval by the Resident State Attorney, its enactment marks a crucial step towards creating a society free from SGBV in Arua City. This achievement demonstrates the power of collective action and the city’s dedication to protecting the rights and dignity of all its citizens. Feminature Uganda is proud to have been part of this process, emphasizing that women’s rights organizations play a vital role in advocating for these laws and ensuring their effective implementation.  

The ordinance is comprehensive, addressing the underlying social and cultural norms that perpetuate violence. It includes provisions for the welfare of women and children, and categorizes GBV cases that can be addressed at the LC1 level and those that should be referred to the police.

The Arua City GBV Ordinance 2024 is a significant achievement towards creating a gender-based violence-free society. Feminature’s advocacy work has been instrumental in supporting the enactment of this ordinance, which provides a framework for addressing SGBV and holding perpetrators accountable. Feminature Uganda welcomes this ordinance as a significant step towards achieving their mission of creating a resilient and sustainable society free from SGBV. The ordinance’s features align with the goals of Feminature, providing a guiding policy for their advocacy projects