212: INDIGINOUS EVALUATION AND ETHICS: USING A CULTURAL APPROACH TO ADDRESS SOCIO-CULTURAL BELIEFS, NORMS AND PRACTICES THAT PERPETUATE GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN UGANDA: A CASE OF BUGANDA KINGDOM.

Buganda Kingdom, the largest and oldest in Uganda, has a population of about 12 million people and a well-structured administrative system that facilitates community engagement. The Kingdom actively works to prevent and respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), addressing harmful socio-cultural beliefs and practices that perpetuate inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened GBV levels, necessitating strategic interventions. Buganda Kingdom employs cultural approaches such as Ebyooto (fireplace discussions), Ekisaakaate (royal enclosure training), male conferences, HeForShe campaigns, marathons, workshops, and livelihood programs to combat GBV and promote gender equality. Additionally, cultural monitoring and evaluation systems track the effectiveness of these initiatives. This paper examines these cultural mechanisms, their management, resource mobilization, challenges, and lessons learned in addressing GBV through a cultural lens within Buganda Kingdom. Keywords: Buganda Kingdom, Gender-Based Violence, Cultural Beliefs, Norms, Practices.