STUDENTS USE ART TO CHALLENGE GENDER INEQUALITIES IN ARUA CITY

Students pose for a group photo with the organizers after the competition aimed at promoting gender equality through actions.

By Benard Drasiku
Arua city  

Four schools in Arua city (Arua public, mvara ss, Nile High ss and Arua town college) have showcased powerful performances in poem and skits competition which was organized by Peace for Women West Nile under the theme; “Youth voices for Gender Justice and Equality” at St. Daniel Comboni youth center- Arua city in a bit to kick off gender inequalities in schools and communities.

Peace Abaru the executive director for Peace Women West Nile said they want the students to       champion and challenge gender norms in our communities

“Today we are having poems and skits that the leaners are presenting. We want them to be champions and challenge gender norms in our communities and even in our schools since there is violence in our schools, they are here with other schools to learn how best they can challenge these gender inequalities and also preach the gospel to our communities.”

Similarly Queen Letaru Rita   of the participant from Arua public secondary school said she has learnt a lot on gender equality “There are a lot of things I have learnt- not only about girl child but also the boy child. They have also talked about the need to support children with disabilities. A school has [performed a skit demonstrating empowering of children with disabilities.”

Ivan Lugeya a student from Mvara senior secondary school urges fellow youth to voice their problems for help. “I urge we young people to come forward and embrace our differences and get to learn from each other do not sit on your problems alone thy are people who are there to listen to you maybe your parent sister friend share that problem and never resort in to doing something that will harm yourself they are other organizations that will help you out.”

However Kevin Inzikuru a problem assistant of Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa SIHA Network one of the partners of Peace for Women said they are looking forward to extend this   to the whole of west Nile region. “We came together and collaborated with peace for women west Nile and with more funds we hope to extend this to the whole of the region since many part s are lacking this knowledge and education.”

Peace for west Nile is a community based organization founded in 2022 in Arua city to empower young girls, women and even boys to raise the issues affecting them in the communities like domestic violence, sexual harassments and others through their projects like women rights session and voice for change focusing on women, girls and boys in Arua city, Arua district and Terego district.