Achievements

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What steps did we take:

We spearheaded the first ever survivor-led organization, where survivors were put at the forefront to advocate for zero tolerance to acid attack violence. We pioneered the formation of survivor support groups to promote psychosocial support, survivor empowerment and community reintegration of survivors as proactive independent citizens.

We pioneered the first ever skills development training to promote economic sustainability, made links and connections to support the sustainability of survivors through promotion, marketing and participating in exhibitions.

We championed a survivor-led model and worked to bring different actors like CERESAV-USA, (now RISEcoalition) on board to work in the area of addressing acid attack violence in Uganda. This was done through lobbying, awareness visits and presentations which attracted especially the founders of RISE to engage in supporting acid attack violence survivors, not just in Uganda but globally.
(https://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/ugandan-acid-attack-survivor-hanifa-nakiryowa-advocates-for-others-with-help-from-the-tri-state).

Achievements made:

We developed a lobbying strategy through awareness initiatives using media, workshops and conferences, public lectures and presentations to attract different actors to strengthen the voices against acid attack violence both nationally and internationally.
We have promoted global recognition from UK to Canada to USA and worldwide.
https://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/ugandan-acid-attack-survivor-hanifa-nakiryowa-advocates-for-others-with-help-from-the-tri-state).

We are proud to say that our survivor empowerment approach has led to the formation of survivor ambassadors who are now forming different groups in Uganda, increasing awareness of the problem and changing the face of acid attack violence in Uganda.

We started the first ever survivor-led evidenced-based petition to the president of Uganda and the parliament, which resulted in the passing of the Toxic Chemical Prohibition Bill into law (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3553582/I-ll-make-scars-stars-Brave-women-survived-acid-attacks-Uganda-reveal-injuries-bid-prevent-attacks.html). Still a lot needs to be done, thanks to the emerging groups by our past support group ambassadors who are raising more voices, and increasing pressure where it will be effective.

We have set the ground standards for accountability and transparency, so that all work done in this area is evidence-based. We have mentored our past support group ambassadors who are doing the same in the field.

We championed the Asset-Based Community Driven (ABCD) model upon which all other emerging groups spearheaded by our ambassadors in the field are operating. This has strengthened the empowerment of survivors to live more proactive independent lives.

We spearheaded a lobbying and referral model where other service providers opened a platform to facilitate community reintegration of acid attack violence survivors. These included referrals to:

Market resources

Results in five years
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYP-B3FkSeA)
There is more awareness of acid attack violence across Uganda.
More survivors are living pro-active independent lives.
More resources are now available to facilitate socio-economic sustainability.
New groups led by our support group ambassadors are emerging.
Scars have been unveiled and the face of acid attack violence has been changed.
There is more global recognition of acid attack violence in Uganda.

Special Thanks
Our first survivor support group pioneers; Gloria Kankunda, Linnet Ruboha, Ritah Sanyu, Jamidah Namuyomba, Shanitah Nabuuma, Christine Nakato, Julie Bukirwa, Daniel Kasolo, Sowedi Rukundo, Jennifer Mutesi, Ernest Kayanja, Sylvia Nambirige (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R72UOIb0bY)
Mulago Referral Hospital Burns Unit for collaborating with us in our hospital initiatives.
The different organizations and media companies in Uganda that tirelessly offer platforms for awareness raising and sensitization; ActionAid-Uganda, NewVision and the entire Vision group, Monitor Publications, NTV-Uganda, UBC-TV.