Empowering Rural Women And Girls
In the heart of rural Western Uganda, where challenges faced by women and girls are often compounded by economic and social barriers, one woman has dedicated her life to making a tangible difference.
Tendo Mirembe
Namata, a Gender and Development Expert, founded Embibo Gender Initiative to
combat gender-based violence and empower marginalized women and girls.
Her journey, from
academic pursuits to impactful grassroots work, stands as an inspiring
testament to resilience, passion, and dedication.
A Foundation Built on Personal and Professional Experience
Tendo’s journey
began as a Fellow with Building
Tomorrow, working in remote areas of Western Uganda. There, she witnessed
firsthand the pervasive gender-based violence that forced many girls to drop
out of school.
This exposure,
combined with her personal experience as a sexual violence survivor, ignited a
commitment to ensure violence-free communities for girls.
In 2018, she
launched Embibo Gender Initiative as a campaign, and by 2021, it had evolved
into a registered community-based organization in Kamwenge.
Since its formal
inception, Embibo Gender Initiative has made remarkable strides. The
organization has reached over 6,000 women and girls with services and advocacy
focused on economic justice, violence prevention, and sexual and reproductive
health and rights (SRHR).
Operating across
three districts in Western Uganda, the organization has significantly improved
access to critical health services, including HIV/STI testing, treatment, and
adherence support.
“We focus on
community-led, accessible, quality health and violence-alleviation services,”
Tendo explains. “This year alone, we’ve handled 40 defilement and rape cases,
some resulting in convictions.”
Her efforts have
not gone unnoticed. Tendo has earned several accolades, including the World
Bank Blog4Dev Award and the Mandela Washington Fellowship in 2022. She has also
held significant roles, such as the East African Men Engage Africa coordinator.
Running a
gender-focused organization in rural settings comes with its share of
challenges. Addressing sensitive issues like sexual violence often involves
confronting powerful community figures, leading to threats and security risks.
“We’ve faced arrests and constant security challenges,” Tendo shares.
“Strengthening our risk assessment and safeguarding policies has been crucial.”
Funding remains
another hurdle. “As a newer organization, we serve areas with limited support
for women’s rights, and resources are often scarce. But we remain relentless.”
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead,
Tendo envisions expanding Embibo Gender Initiative’s reach, both regionally and
nationally. Her goal is to continue providing accessible, quality services and
advocacy for marginalized women and girls, fostering safer communities where
they can thrive.
Advice to Future Leaders
To Fellow Alumni
and aspiring social entrepreneurs, Tendo offers heartfelt advice: “Be
passionate. Take risks. People may think you’re mad, but stay relentless about
the change you envision. You don’t need everyone to agree with you.”
Her story is a
powerful reminder that meaningful change starts with conviction and courage. As
she continues to champion the rights of women and girls, Tendo Mirembe Namata’s
journey serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to create a lasting impact
in their community.
You can connect with Tendo on LinkedIn and X(Twitter)
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