Last week, the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), Uganda Rugby Union (URU), and Swans Sports Club launched the G.I.R.L.S Against GBV (Gender Based Violence) project with a mission to empower 10,000 girls and boys aged 12-18, and strengthen community action against the vice.
The three-year programme will be implemented across 50 schools in Wakiso district and neighboring regions, using rugby as a platform to build confidence, leadership, and resilience among young people.
At its heart, G.I.R.L.S Against GBV seeks to equip girls with the knowledge, voice, and agency to protect themselves, while engaging boys as allies committed to respect, equality, and non-violence.
“Our breaking point was the loss of Rebecca Cheptegei just after the Olympics and at the time, we started initiatives just to have a conversation on what we can do to reduce GBV,” Mwase said during the launch of the project at UOC’s office in Lugogo on Friday.
“Our implementing partner Swans wrote an implementation programme (to the International Olympic Committee) and they will be supervised by URU. We (UOC) will be evaluating it to see that it really brings social change,” Mwase added about the project that will be funded by the Olympic Solidarity.
The project will begin with a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) camp, bringing together trained coaches, teachers, and mentors, 50 percent of whom are women, to receive comprehensive instruction in rugby coaching, gender sensitivity, GBV awareness, safeguarding, communication, and youth mentorship.
“We are proud to be chosen as the vehicle to speak to our youths about such an important topic. For kids to learn this at an early age is important because they will become advocates against GBV.
“Swans have been at the forefront of such community-based improvement. We are sure that at the end of the three years we will have created a social movement,” URU chief executive officer Isaac Lutwama, said.
After the ToT, the trainers will lead weekly school-based rugby sessions and monthly life-skills workshops focusing on leadership, confidence, assertiveness, respectful relationships, and GBV reporting pathways.
Beyond the school environment, the project mobilizes parents, leaders, and the wider public through community engagement events. The year will culminate in the Play Safe, Lead Strong Rugby Tournament, where girls and boys from all participating schools will showcase their talent, resilience, and teamwork.
“Our club has been at the core of these social campaigns. We have done campaigns on cancer awareness and in the past four years, we have had tournaments on GBV.
“ToT is the anchor point. We will not only train the sports aspect but also include talks on GBV. It is also important that we train many teachers because they can return to their schools and train as many students as possible. That way, we make a wider impact in a shorter time as opposed to going to school by school,” James Owaraga, the patron of Swans, said.
At a glance
Project Name: G.I.R.L.S Against GBV (Growth, Inclusion, Resilience, Leadership and Safety)
Project Duration: 3 Years
Coverage: 50 Schools in Wakiso District and surrounding areas
Target Group: 10,000 girls and boys aged 12-18
Approach: Sports for Development using rugby + GBV awareness + safeguarding + mentorship
Launch Theme: Play Safe, Lead Strong