Strengthening Our Resolve: Civil Society Equips Itself to Champion SRHR & GBV Accountability

This week marked a significant stride forward in our collective mission to ensure quality Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services for all. Selfless Compassion Initiative was proud to participate in intensive two-day training from 17th to 18 August 2025 for over 10 dedicated representatives from various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).The training, titled "Monitoring SRHR/GBV Services and Advocating for Accountability," was designed to equip participants with the practical tools and strategic knowledge needed to effectively monitor service delivery and hold duty bearers accountable for their commitments. The resounding presence of Freda Apio, CEO of Selfless Compassion Initiative, throughout the training underscored our organization's deep commitment to this cause. Freda Apio not only inaugurated the event but also participated actively, reinforcing the critical link between community-level monitoring and high-level advocacy.

A Deep Dive into the Two Days:

The agenda was packed with interactive sessions, expert insights, and collaborative workshops. Here’s a glimpse of what was covered:

Day 1: Building the Foundation for Effective Monitoring

• Session 1: The Landscape of SRHR & GBV Service Delivery: An overview of the existing frameworks, challenges, and gaps in our local context, setting the stage for why vigilant monitoring is essential.
• Session 2: Rights-Based Monitoring Tools & Techniques: Participants learned how to use standardized checklists, conduct client exit interviews, and utilize community scorecards to gather reliable data on service quality, confidentiality, and non-discrimination.
• Session 3: Safety, Ethics, and Do No Harm: A critical session focused on the ethical considerations of monitoring sensitive services, ensuring the safety of both monitors and survivors, and managing data confidentially.

Day 2: From Evidence to Action: The Path to Advocacy

• Session 1: Analyzing Data and Documenting Findings: Moving from raw data to compelling evidence. Teams worked on synthesizing their findings into clear, concise reports that can be used for advocacy.
• Session 2: The Art of Advocacy: Engaging Duty Bearers: This practical session focused on identifying key decision-makers, crafting powerful advocacy messages, and developing strategies for productive engagement rather than confrontation.
• Session 3: Action Planning & Next Steps: The culmination of the training, where each CSO began drafting a concrete action plan for monitoring specific facilities and scheduling meetings with relevant duty bearers in their jurisdictions.

Key Takeaways & Outcomes:

• Enhanced Capacity: 10+ monitors are now equipped with standardized skills to objectively assess the quality and accessibility of SRHR and GBV services.
• Network Strengthened: A strong coalition of CSOs has been formed, fostering collaboration and a unified voice for advocacy.
• Commitment to Accountability: The active involvement of duty bearers, including representatives from the local health department, was a positive step towards creating a shared understanding and commitment to improvement.

A Word from Our Leadership:

Freda Apio, CEO of Selfless Compassion Initiative, addressed the participants, stating:

"Knowledge without action is inert. This training has provided us with the knowledge. The action begins now. Your role as community watchdogs is not to antagonize but to collaborate for change. The data you gather is the evidence that will unlock doors to dialogue and compel duty bearers to act. Selfless Compassion Initiative stands with you every step of the way as you advocate for the dignity and rights of every woman, girl, and survivor."

What’s Next? The Journey Continues.

This training is not the end, but the beginning of a renewed, evidence-based advocacy drive. Participants have returned to their communities with clear action plans. We will be:

• Providing ongoing technical support to the newly trained monitors.
• Facilitating joint advocacy meetings between CSOs and duty bearers.
• Publishing a collective "State of SRHR/GBV Services" report based on the findings from our monitoring activities.

We invite you to stay engaged. Follow our journey, support our cause, and watch this space as we share updates on the tangible improvements we achieve together in service delivery. For more information or to support our work, please contact us at selflesscompassioninitive23@gmail or follow us on social media X-Selflesscomp23, LinkedIn - Selfless Compassion Initiative, www.sci-uganda@org.