The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd. has launched a campaign aimed at preventing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) and addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) risks.
This initiative is part of EACOP's ongoing commitment to safeguarding the well-being of communities along the pipeline route. In collaboration with Health Promotion International (HPI), EACOP conducted a study across five districts in Uganda, focusing on GBV and SRHR.
The study's findings revealed that GBV significantly hinders progress, with its roots in poverty, cultural norms, and practices such as polygamy. Women and children are the most affected by these issues.
The campaign is designed to improve knowledge and attitudes within affected communities. It also aims to foster safe and inclusive workplaces, strengthen reporting and referral pathways, and empower local leaders and peer champions to drive sustainable social change.
EACOP has rolled out a series of community-centred activities to support the campaign's goals. These activities include community theatre performances that use edutainment to spark discussions on GBV, SRHR, and community safety norms. Additionally, EACOP has distributed IEC materials in multiple languages, including Runyoro, Runyankole, and English, to raise awareness and spread key messages widely.
To further support community engagement, EACOP has set up mobile health service booths where local health providers offer on-site counselling and SRHR services. These services include vital checks such as blood pressure monitoring, Hepatitis B screening, UTI treatment, HIV testing, family planning services, malaria screening, TB screening, and diabetes screening. Dialogue and counselling sessions have also been held to create safe spaces for communities to discuss GBV and SRHR issues. Furthermore, the campaign offers legal support and referrals for GBV survivors to ensure they have access to justice and professional support.
The campaign reinforces EACOP’s commitment to key messages that emphasize the importance of gender equality and the right to access SRHR services and information. It stresses that respect, safety, and consent are non-negotiable, and that incidents of GBV must be reported safely through designated channels. Rosie Birungi, EACOP's Social Performance Manager, spoke at the launch, highlighting the company's dedication to building safe, informed, and empowered workplaces and communities. She stated that through strong partnerships and stakeholder engagement, EACOP is catalysing positive social change, ensuring that all project-affected persons, regardless of gender or status, are protected and benefit equitably from the project.
The campaign also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being. It supports Uganda’s National Development Plan III (NDPIII) 2020–2025, which prioritises health, safety, and human capital development. The launch event was attended by government officials, district leaders, civil society partners, and community representatives, all of whom expressed strong support for collective action against GBV and for advancing gender equality in the communities affected by the project.