Jaboya Project: increasing Social Cohesion and Equity

Jaboya project is an ELCI inititive to address conflicting issues related to poverty, HIV/AIDS syndrome (Jaboya) and
rampant exploitation among the fisher communities along the shores and the beaches of Lake Victoria.

The project has an overall objective of increasing Social Cohesion and Equity while addressing HIV/AIDS and fragile livelihoods among the fishing communities, approached from the perspective of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

ELCI's 'Jaboya' Project has implementing partners in East Africa namely Kivulini in Tanzania and Uganda Fisheries and Fish
association of Uganda in Uganda

Background

"Jaboya" is a term originally coined by fishing communities in Kenya. In its original meaning, the word is derived from the system of anchoring fishing nets in the water and is often used to refer to the leader of one-boat fishing crew. It has however acquired new meanings over time, taking on the meaning "Girlfriend". Jaboya today refers to well organized "husband-wife" relationships in the fishing industry.

It sits at the core of exploitation of fishmongers, manifesting itself in highly controlled access to much wanted fish for trade, which has increased fishmongers (mainly women and young girls) vulnerability to sexual exploitation, occuring through the "Sex for Fish" phenomenon, in a business that is supposed to sustain local communities, is a source for East African states, but has also become fertile ground for wanton poverty and HIV/AIDS against a backdrop of endangered fish population.

Project Aim

Jaboya Project aims at contributing to poverty reduction in the Lake Victoria region of East Africa by reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS, improving SRH&R and mitigating the socio-economic impact of the epidemic among fishing communities by supporting a multi-sectoral response to HIV prevention, treatment, care support and impact mitigation, in line with the national objectives of the Governments of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and in support of the NEPAD health strategy and the attainment of MDG's 1,3,4,5,6 and 7. It will improve the health and livelihoods of the fishing communities and reduce their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, through a mainstreamed rights based approach. More information can be obtained on the projects website by clicking on the following link www.jaboya.org