THREE women from Altona’s Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre are raising money to build a women’s refuge in Uganda, where family violence is aided by a culture of acceptance.
Centre manager Jill Bilston, staffer Kim Reilley and volunteer Tricia Salau have already built up mutual trust and respect with members of the Ugandan Ride 4 a Woman (R4W) co-operative by helping them develop a sewing microbusiness.
In August last year, the Altona-based trio visited the HIV-ravaged country to donate sewing machines and teach the women to sew tourist items.
R4W works to empower women in communities surrounding the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Ms Reilley said while family violence was not unique to Uganda and its government was trying to improve the situation, change would take a while.
“Over 60 per cent of the women will face some sort of domestic violence at some point of their life.” she said.
“A lot of people in Uganda think it’s OK for a man to beat his wife if she’s gone out somewhere and hasn’t told him where she’s going.”
The trio is aiming to raise $10,000 to build a women’s refuge on ancestral land owned by the head of R4W.
Ms Bilston said that over the course of a year, several hundred women were expected to benefit from the refuge.
The Revolving Gallery, running until August 29, is a series of pop-up exhibitions.
A book sale and market for Ugranda will run on July 31. The Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre is at 5 Sargood Street, Altona.
For more information call 9398 2511 or visit louisjlcc.com.au.
