TERMS OF REFERENCE

1.0 General Information

2.0 Background and Rationale
Paradigm for Social Justice and Development (PSD) is a Non-Profit Organization that was formed by a group of women lawyers and Human Rights activists committed to advancing social justice and developmentof the youth and women to be able to take shape of their destiny.PSD envisions a society without injustice, violence and poverty with a mission to work with vulnerable communities to address social injustices, alleviation of poverty and violence. Our Program focus areas include; Strengthening Women’s Access to Justice; Peace and Security; Human Rights and Good Governance; Economic Empowerment for youth, women and PWD’s; Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Research. With support from African Women Development Fund, PSD is implementing a Project aimed at enhancing Access to Justice to Women victims of Domestic Violence in Wakiso District.

Domestic violence remains a serious challenge in many Ugandan families today. In a 2019 study by the Uganda Law Reform Commission, half of the women surveyed report having experienced violence on a daily or weekly basis, and 35% of working women reported marital violence. This has been increased by the COVID 19 pandemic.  While both men and women experience Domestic Violence, women and girls remain the majority survivors of the crime. In 2020, 29% increase where reported where 17,664 cases of Domestic Violence were reported to Police compared to 13,693 reported in 2019. Of 18,872 people who were victims of Domestic Violence, 3,408 were male adults, 13,145 were female adults. 1,133 were male juveniles while 1,186 were female juveniles (Annual Crime Police Report, 2020).

Under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which Uganda ratified,the government has an obligation to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination by any party including private individuals.As such Uganda has enacted various laws against violence and discrimination against women.These among others include the Domestic Violence Act and Regulations, Land Act as amended, Equal Opportunities Act among others.

However, despite the existence of the above legislation violence leading to discrimination against women still prevails in many forms countrywide.One of the majorly cited causes of Violence Against Women leading to discrimination is the existence of cultural and religious practices.Many of the culturaland religious practices are surrounded by a lot of myths and misconceptions that stigmatize and trap women in abusive relationships, poverty and ignorance while others impose power over women and prevent them from making independent and informed decisions. Religious and cultural practices reflect values and beliefs held by members of a community for periods often spanning for generations.Every social grouping in the world has specific traditional cultural practices and beliefs some which are beneficial to all members while others are harmful to a specific group especially women.The religious and cultural norms are enforced by the religious and cultural leaders. Its because of the major role they play in the community that PSD desires to train them with an aim of equipping them with knowledge on the myths and misconceptions, their impact on the women and to also change attitudes and behavior in the community.

The Project will therefore address access to justice issues that women in violent relationships face, stigma and discrimination that has affected women from leaving violent relationship. PSD willtrain 30 religious and cultural leaders in the areas of Nabweru, Kyengera, Kakiri town council, Kakiri subcounty, Masuliita subcounty, Masuliita town council, Wakiso town council and Mende sub county.

It is in this regard that PSD is desirous to contract a facilitator to train the religious and cultural leaders on the myths and misconceptions on Violence Against Women causing discrimination and stigma.

3.0   Overall Objective
The overall objective of this training is to equip religious and cultural leaders with knowledge on the myths and misconceptions on Violence Against Women, Domestic Violence and related rights and freedoms of women.

The specific objectives of the training   include:

1. To increase the participants’ knowledge on domestic violence (causes, prevention, myths and misconceptions, effects and response and related topics).
2. To empower cultural and religious leaders with skills of identifying women survivors and offering the necessary support.
3. To empower participants with knowledge on how to handle women survivors of violence.
4. To highlight and emphasize the participants on their role as leaders in rolling out violence against women.

3.0 Scope of the work
The training will provide knowledge and skills to religious and cultural leaders on the myths and misconceptions on violence causing discrimination and stigma.

The Training will include the following sessions:

• Definition of Domestic Violence, Access to justice, myth and misconceptions on violence etc.
• Religious texts on violence against women
• Cultural beliefs on treatment of women
• Referral pathways (this section will focus on service providers available to handle survivors and victims of gender-based violence and conflict in Wakiso district).

4.0 Expected Deliverables
Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the facilitator will be required to;

1. Meet with the Project Coordinator to discuss the agenda and other requirements.
2. Share training tools and materials that the Facilitator will use to the participants.
3. Conduct a training of Religious and cultural leaders using the tools and materials approved by PSD and a participatory approach for all participants.
4. Deliver a report about the training containing results, recommendations and lessons learnt.

5.0   PSD duties and responsibilities

1. PSD will oversee the training and be responsible for accountability and guidance throughout all phases of execution, and approval of all deliverables.
2. Effect payments on accomplishment of the task according to contract and deliverables met            .

6.0 Time frame
The training is expected to last for 1 day.

7.0 Qualification of the Facilitator.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Gender Studies, law, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field and Master’s degree will be an added advantage.

Experience and Skills

• Should have experience in conducting trainings focusing on Domestic Violence and access to justice.
• Previous experience working with religious and cultural leaders is an added advantage.