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Stories from the Field: Elevating women-led ownership of GBV response and prevention in Uganda

To strengthen support for the growing number of Congolese refugees fleeing violent conflict, DRC Standby Roster deployee Ilaria Vidili brought women and refugees to the center of gender-based violence response and prevention in southwestern Uganda.

Ilaria Vidili during a meeting with community members in southwestern Uganda.

As Uganda continues to receive refugees fleeing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the protection of women and girls remains a critical priority. Uganda hosts nearly 2 million refugees with more than 600,000 from the Democratic Republic of Congo. In southwestern Uganda, Ilaria Vidili was recently deployed as a Gender‑Based Violence (GBV) Officer to support UNHCR’s response, working closely with women‑led and refugee‑led organizations (WLOs and RLOs). As a member of the DRC Standby Roster, her deployment focused on strengthening local leadership, building capacity, and supporting community‑based approaches to GBV prevention and response.

Part of your task involved mapping women‑led organizations. What does that entail, and why is it so important in the context of Uganda?

Ilaria: There’s a big push within UNHCR toward localization, especially toward supporting refugee‑led organizations. In prolonged emergencies, these organizations are doing incredible work in camps and settlements. They strongly complement the efforts of UNHCR and other partners. I felt it was crucial not only to understand who these WLOs were, but also to understand their gaps and needs. And honestly, it felt like a privilege. I had the chance to meet these women and girls, get to know them, and learn what their hopes and dreams for the future are.

With current funding cuts, it’s even more important to spotlight their work and make sure they receive the support they deserve, so they have the brightest possible future.

What do you see as the biggest advantages of these women-led organisations, especially within a refugee context?

Ilaria: In general, I would say that they know the context very well. This is not the first time that I have worked with WLOs, especially with RLOs, and I always think that women and girls, especially when it comes to GBV prevention, understand what works best for their context. Many of them have been there for a long time, so it’s really important for humanitarian actors to work together and ensure that we listen to them first. This applies to any intervention we want to do, but especially when it comes to gender equality and GBV interventions.

So, there are different types of motivation that drive them, and they all have unique qualities. Of course, you will find that some WLOs have very specific technical skills that differ depending on the context and nationality. They’re deeply motivated to work in their own communities, because the community belongs to them. Their motivations differ, and so do their strengths. I think it is also our job to make sure we understand these qualities and try to expand them as much as possible and support them so they can flourish as much as possible.

Was there anything you learned from women‑led or refugee‑led organizations that deepened your understanding of GBV risks in the region?

Ilaria: Yes, definitely. One of the most meaningful insights I gained in Mbarara, was understanding how women‑led and refugee‑led organizations interpret and respond to GBV risks within their own communities can help to strengthen humanitarian programming. For example, seeing Congolese WLOs lead activities to fight stigma around conflict‑related sexual violence was extremely powerful.

They understand how to approach these sensitive issues in ways that resonate within their own communities, and that expertise is something external actors simply cannot replicate.

Another important takeaway for me is the importance of proximity and presence. Meeting women and girls regularly, listening to their concerns, and witnessing their resilience reminded me that technical expertise must always be grounded in empathy and human connection. That is something I will carry forward into any future deployment.

"They know their environment better than anyone, and their drive comes from the fact that this is their home and community."

Ilaria Vidili, deployed by the DRC Standby Roster as GBV Officer to UNHCR Uganda.

Ilaria Vidili training local caseworkers on GBV case management at Nyakabande Transit Centre in Southwestern Uganda. Photo: UNHCR Uganda

You have delivered many trainings during your deployment. Which one felt most impactful?

Ilaria: One of the most impactful was a capacity‑building initiative specifically for RLOs. We had more than 120 representatives attend. We covered topics such as GBV, safe disclosure of GBV incidents, digital project management and social media principles for community engagement.

This initiative came from meeting these organizations during my missions and asking them directly: "What do you feel you need to thrive?" What they asked for, more than anything, was inclusion.

You might think we already do this, but in practice, it can be complicated. My mission was to include them as much as possible, and to make sure they genuinely wanted to participate in the activities. They chose the topics themselves. In my view, this is something we should continue prioritizing for the future. In every capacity‑building session, they were enthusiastic, eager to learn new things and to show us their own efforts. This was something I tried to encourage as much as possible.

"Meeting refugee‑led organizations gives you hope. You realise how much future and potential there is behind their work."

Ilaria Vidili, deployed by the DRC Standby Roster as GBV Officer to UNHCR Uganda.

What do you think is the most pressing challenge for women in southwestern Uganda?

Ilaria: Women and girls in forced displacement face a range of challenges. They’re often the caregivers and the ones carrying the heaviest family responsibilities. At the same time, they’re often in the most vulnerable positions when it comes to GBV. There are many risks, which humanitarian actors are well aware of. Many women are deeply worried about their future and their children’s future.

A lot of them also come from contexts where they weren’t encouraged to pursue education, and where opportunities to build independent livelihoods were not always available. So they face multiple, overlapping challenges. They are trying to build a future while also trying to heal from what happened to them. It’s a difficult place to be. And while men also experience trauma, women occupy a unique and particularly vulnerable position within displacement.

Could you share a moment or interaction that really stayed with you?

Ilaria: There were many. But meeting the women is always the most special part of my job. It’s a privilege, one I’m very aware of. From the office, you sometimes don’t meet people of concern as often as you wish, but I’m tasked to do so.

It has been incredibly meaningful to meet them, to feel welcomed every time, and to return that feeling. Working in GBV, not all situations are pleasant, as you might imagine, but working with women is something truly special, especially as a woman myself.