Small-Scale Businesses as a Tool to Combat GBV – EFIUG’s Approach

Introduction

Small-scale businesses offer an effective way to empower women and reduce the incidence of GBV. This article examines EFIUG’s efforts in promoting small-scale businesses as a tool to combat GBV and draws lessons from similar initiatives.

EFIUG’s Business Support Programs

EFIUG has been instrumental in supporting women-led small-scale businesses through:

1. Entrepreneurship Training: EFIUG provides training on business management, financial literacy, and marketing.
2. Microfinance and Grants: The Foundation offers microfinance loans and grants to women entrepreneurs, enabling them to start or expand their businesses.
3. Linking Business to GBV Prevention: EFIUG educates women on how economic empowerment can reduce vulnerability to GBV.

Lessons from Uganda

1. Economic Empowerment: EFIUG’s programs align with broader findings that economic empowerment of women reduces GBV. Initiatives by organizations like BRAC Uganda have also demonstrated the link between economic independence and GBV reduction.
2. Community Support Systems: Successful small-scale business programs often include community support systems. EFIUG’s emphasis on collective support among women entrepreneurs is a key factor in its success.

Global Lessons

1. Integrated Approaches: Programs like those run by the Grameen Foundation show that integrating business support with GBV prevention services is effective. EFIUG’s holistic approach reflects this global lesson.
2. Scaling Impact: Global initiatives, such as the Women’s Economic Empowerment program by UN Women, provide insights on scaling small-scale business support. EFIUG can draw on these examples to expand its impact.