We’re working with a nursing and midwifery school in Uganda to create regionally relevant training on gender-based violence response.
Uganda’s northern region represents one of the most complex humanitarian landscapes in East Africa, hosting over 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers from nearby countries. Most of these refugees have experienced civil war and associated economic crisis and political instability in recent years. Women and children refugees—who about 80% of Uganda’s refugees—are at high risk of gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, rape, forced and child marriage, and intimate partner violence. (United Nations Refugee Agency, 2026)
Strength and Serenity is collaborating with Luziibangi International Health School Uganda (LIHS) to address the critical gap in gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, response, and recovery mechanisms within Uganda’s humanitarian and conflict-affected settings. LIHS transforms healthcare access in East Africa by training nurses and midwives, directly addressing the region’s severe healthcare workforce shortage.
Gender-based violence training webinar series
- Session 1 – Overview of Gender-based violence as a health issue
- Session 2 – Beyond Awareness: Contextualizing GBV response in SRH
- Session 3 – Promoting Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence Between Survivors and Heath Care Providers: Analyzing Interventions and Ethics of Care
- Session 4 – Coordinating Care: Multi-Sectoral GBV Response in Uganda’s Refugee Settlements
- Session 5 – Healing Beyond the Crisis: Understanding Psychological Trauma & Psychosocial Recovery in GBV Survivors
Project core team
Ellen M. Robinson, Ethicist | erobinson1@mgh.harvard.edu
Temitayo Abayomi, Research Assistant | tabayomi@mgh.harvard.edu
Dawnn Pauline Bituin, Research Assistant | dbituin@mgh.harvard.edu
Collaborators
Luziibangi International Health School
Luziibangi International Health School (LIHS) is a nursing and midwifery school based in Mityana District, Uganda. They offer a range of short courses, certificates, and mentorship programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of healthcare professionals.
Visit their website: www.luziibangi.org
Related publications
Robinson, E. M., Nalwadda G. K., Narayan S., Cardoso M, Greenwald M, Fachon K, Nsungwa J.S., Nakitto B.M., Abayomi T, Nakibuule A.W., Kibengo F. M., Eyul P., Goodman A. (2026, April 16-17). Educating Health Professionals about Gender-Based Violence: A Collaboration between Luziibangi International Health School and MGH Strength and Serenity. National Nursing Ethics Conference: Ethics of Caring. Los Angeles, California, United States.