Jaboya Project
A regional initiative around the Lake VictoriaSupporting the fishing communities of Lake Victoria in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania: The JABOYA Project
Fishing populations along Lake Victoria, bordering Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, are among the poorest people in East Africa, with a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS and related illnesses. The lifestyle of fishing communities puts them at a higher risk: geographical mobility, multiple casual partners, lack of social support networks, financial vulnerability. These communities are not engaged in the national health care systems due to the nature of their lifestyle, and as a result miss out on essential support and services which they need to address their vulnerability with regard to HIV and AIDS and broader SRH&R. Trading laws and practices and restrictive regulations lead to the exploitation and increased vulnerability of fishing communities. Women move with the fishermen to brew and sell beer and sell fish, and they are vulnerable to unequal gender relations, being forced into sex. There are growing numbers of AIDS orphans as a result of the above factors who are susceptible to violence, rape, abuse and exploitation as child labour.
This regional project enables Interact Worldwide’s partners to reach a large population in desperate need of improved health care, services and rights. It aims to reduce poverty in the Lake Victoria region of East Africa by reducing the spread of HIV and improving sexual and reproductive health treatment, care and support for fishing communities. Our partners work at increasing awareness and knowledge within these communities about HIV and AIDS, women and children’s rights and broader sexual and reproductive health issues, through literature, clubs, presentations and trainings. The project also links advocacy efforts across the three countries to increase regional policy makers’ understanding and support for addressing the vulnerabilities and needs of fishing communities in the Lake Victoria region.
Environment Liaison Centre International (ELCI)
ELCI is an NGO that tracks international environmental processes. It was established in Nairobi in 1974, when the United Nations Environment Programme was located there. ELCI is a membership organisation, with members throughout the world but with a concentration within Africa. They pursue a number of local and national campaigns in forestry, sustainable agriculture, and air pollution. Internationally, ELCI promotes civil society participation in international environmental governance.