We learnt the benefits of planning together and also identified the things that we do that benefit us as individuals and those that help us as a couple.
After years of conflict in their marriage, Musa Lochoringole (aged 31) and his wife, Vivian Chemkea (aged 25) are now enjoying a peaceful marriage. The couple from Arol village in Karita sub-county in Uganda participated in Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology and experienced significant transformation in their lives as a result.
GALS is a participatory, visual methodology that empowers women and men - especially marginalised people - to plan, act, and collaborate for gender equality and better livelihoods. It uses simple diagram tools for visioning, problem-solving, dialogue and peer-learning. People with low levels of literacy can drive social and economic change.
“Before becoming a model couple, there was no understanding, and we were constantly fighting.”— Musa
Through training by Oxfam partner National Association of Women’s Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU), the couple were trained in GALS components: the Gender Balance Tree (GBT) and Vision Road Journey (VRJ). From the training they identified the root cause of their conflict as a lack of cooperation and Vivian’s exclusion from decision-making in the home.
They learned how to share responsibilities and realised planning together enabled them to save more money, which they invested in new ventures including goat rearing. The couple also began a poultry business that grew from an initial 20 chicks to over 100 birds. The couple’s transformation has inspired others in their community, who now turn to them for guidance on strengthening their own marriages. Oxfam and partners use GALS in he Irish Aid-funded Ireland Civil Society Partnership project across Karamoja to promote inclusive development and to empower both women and men.
Photo credit: Musa Lochoringole and Vivian Chemkea participated in Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology and it transformed their marriage.
Credit: Ivan Rackara
