Uganda, Feb. 1 -- In the villages of Kitonya 1 and Kitonya 2, located in Bwanika Sub-county, and other neighbouring sub-counties such as Buraru and Kyabigambire in Hoima District, a collective effort led by women has been underway for the past five years to combat the alarming surge in cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) that had long plagued their communities.

Before the women's intervention, cases of defilement, early marriages, school dropouts, and various forms of SGBV, had inflicted considerable harm on the community. The repercussions were severe, leading to the collapse of many families.

The women said some instances were reported where fathers were reported to be sexually abusing their daughters.

However, today, th...