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Some of the bicycles ready for distribution to women in Pader.

As part of its commitment to advance peace, security and recovery among war-affected communities in northern Uganda, UNDP has launched the ‘peace bikes’ campaign, aimed at supporting and broadening women’s contribution to the peace process.

The campaign, worth about USD 80,000, is part of UNDP’s sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) project, which seeks to enhance peace and security through support to women’s peace building work in northern Uganda. UNDP has distributed a total of 516 bicycles to women in four districts: Pader (156), Kitgum (150), Lira (110) and Gulu (100).

Mr. Athman Kakiva, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in charge of Operations, who handed over the first batch of bicycles to women’s groups at separate ceremonies in Kitgum and Pader on 30 July 2008, said sustainable peace requires women’s full participation at all stages of the peace process.

“Women are remarkably eager and innovative in pursuing conflict prevention and reconciliation in this region,” Mr. Kakiva said.

Ms. Rukia Isanga Nakadama, Minister of State for Gender and Culture, who officiated at the ceremonies, encouraged men to support the women in this project, since the bicycles would benefit entire communities. She cautioned against excessive consumption of alcohol, which has been cited among the major cause of SGBV.

Ms. Nakadama commended UNDP’s approach to recovery assistance, which emphasizes building onto the strengths and resources of affected communities and their leadership to enable them carry out the interventions themselves. She said such an approach empowers beneficiaries to own and sustain the recovery and development process.

Local government heads in Kitgum and Pader hailed the project and said the ‘peace bikes’ had come at the right time as people returned to their home areas from the displacement camps. They said the conflict badly affected the population in northern Uganda and that as a result of trauma and the widespread poverty, many men had resorted to alcohol, which contributed to SGBV and domestic violence.

“Sexual violence was rampant in the camps, where some people lived for more than a decade,” said Mr, John Komakech Ogwok, Kitgum district chairman. “But everyone should now make it their responsibility to jealously guard the security we have so that people can peacefully return home and lead normal lives.”

Mr Charles Otai, Pader district chief administrative officer, said many women were victims of sexual and domestic violence, and were vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. He urged the beneficiaries of the ‘peace bikes’ project to be true advocates for change and development in the region.

Pader resident district commissioner, Lt. Santos Okot Lapolo, said justice and legal institutions were absent in return areas in the north. Additionally, victims of gender-based violence often lack evidence to prove their case in courts, so people tend to resort to traditional justice through their clans, which might have limitations. The peace bikes project will, therefore, contribute to a reduction in SGBV cases in communities by enabling the women to mobilize communities to prevent sexual and violent conflict.

Under the UNDP SGBV programme, more than 700 women, including local councillors and leaders in the four districts, have received training in peace building, negotiation and conflict resolution skills to prevent all forms of violence, particularly that against women and girls. However, they often are unable to fully carry out their work in the communities because of difficulties in reaching some areas. Most of the roads in the areas where people have returned from displacement camps are in very poor condition after years of neglect and where they have been rehabilitated, women cannot quickly cover the long distances on foot.

The bicycles will help women’s groups reach the scattered rural population through means they can afford and maintain. All the beneficiaries have been trained to repair and maintain the bicycles, which skills will help increase the lifespan of the bicycles, while also offering the women practical means of earning income.

This article was contributed by UNDP Uganda's Crisis Prevention & Recovery Unit