WCAYI applies an integrated programming approach aligned with national frameworks, humanitarian principles, and international protection standards.
Rights-Based Approach (RBA)
All human beings have the inherent right to live in dignity. In recognition of this principle, the Women, Children and Youth Initiative (WCAYI) operating in Palorinya Refugee
Settlement, Obongi District, adopts and applies a Rights-Based Approach (RBA) in the design and implementation of its protection and empowerment interventions.
Through this approach, WCAYI ensures that affected populations are recognized as rights-holders and that duty-bearers are supported and held accountable, with a focus on participation, non-discrimination, transparency, and empowerment.
Working in partnership with local populations, community structures, and duty-bearers, WCAYI integrates fundamental human rights with practical actions to address protection risks and vulnerabilities affecting women, children, and youth. This approach ensures that communities are not only beneficiaries, but active rights-holders and decision-makers.
WCAYI sensitizes women, children, and youth upon arrival and within collection, transit, and reception centers, as well as within settlement
and host communities, to understand their rights, entitlements, and obligations under Ugandan laws and policies including the standard operating procedures.
Special attention is given to vulnerable groups, including survivors of gender-based violence, unaccompanied separated children, and youth at risk including older persons.
Through this rights-based approach, communities are empowered to access humanitarian services, identify and raise their protection concerns, and actively participate in proposing, deciding, and implementing solutions that address their protection risks and basic needs. The approach promotes dignity, accountability, participation, and inclusion, ensuring that women, children, and youth were central actors in shaping interventions that affect their lives.
This strategy strengthens community ownership, enhance protection outcomes, and contribute to sustainable resilience within Palorinya Refugee Settlement and surrounding host communities.
Community-Based Protection (CBP)
The Women, Children and Youth Initiative (WCAYI) in Palorinya Refugee Settlement, Obongi District, has adopted a Community-Based Protection (CBP) approach to proactively protect vulnerable individuals, families, and communities, with particular emphasis on women, children, and youth.
Through this approach, WCAYI will support the establishment and strengthening of community-based protective structures and networks, enabling community participants to safely demand, access, and enjoy their rights with dignity. The CBP approach recognizes refugees as key actors in their own protection and promotes shared responsibility between communities, local authorities, and humanitarian actors.
Throughout our engagement with communities both host and refugees we ensure active and meaningful participation at all stages, Women, children, and youth are engaged in decision-making processes to ensure that protection risks are identified early and addressed effectively.
Furthermore, communities will be supported to participate in leadership structures and complaint and feedback mechanisms, strengthening accountability, transparency, and trust. By empowering community members to take part in leadership and protection monitoring, the initiative will enhance community ownership, reduce protection risks, and promote inclusive and sustainable protection outcomes within Palorinya Refugee Settlement and surrounding host communities.
Sibling Support Approach for Adolescent Girls in Emergencies (SSAGIE)
The Women, Children and Youth Initiative (WCAYI) applies a Sibling Support approach to protect and empower adolescent girls in emergency settings in Palorinya Refugee Settlement, Obongi District. This approach recognizes the critical role that older siblings especially sisters/brothers at household level play in providing care, guidance, and protection to younger girls during displacement and crisis situations.
WCAYI strengthens sibling support systems by equipping adolescent girls with life skills, protection awareness, and psychosocial support, enabling them to support one another safely and positively.
Through girl-led peer groups, mentoring sessions, and age-appropriate guidance, older siblings are empowered to act as protective role models, helping reduce risks such as exploitation, neglect, and early marriage.
The initiative also engages caregivers and communities to recognize and support sibling responsibilities without overburdening girls, ensuring access to education, health, and protection services. By reinforcing sibling bonds and peer solidarity, WCAYI promotes resilience, safety, and dignity for adolescent girls during emergencies.
Conflict Early Warning and Early Response Mechanism (CEWERM)
As a peace building approach, the project focuses on anticipating conflict, preventing escalation, and responding early through community participation, information sharing, and coordinated action. The Women, Children and Youth Initiative (WCAYI) in Palorinya Refugee Settlement applies the Community Based Early Warning and Early Response Mechanism (CEWERM) to prevent conflict, strengthen protection, and promote peaceful coexistence among refugees and host communities.
Through a strong emphasis on early warning, early response, and community engagement, WCAYI empowers women, children, and youth as active agents of peace. By applying CEWERM, WCAYI ensures that protection and peace building efforts are community-led, inclusive, and proactive, enhancing the capacity of women, and youth to identify, prevent, and resolve conflicts within Palorinya Refugee Settlement and the surrounding host communities.
Partnerships Approach:
The Women, Children and Youth Initiative (WCAYI) recognizes that strong partnerships are essential to effectively address the complex protection, social, and development needs of refugees and host communities in Palorinya Refugee Settlement, Obongi District. Through a partnerships approach, WCAYI collaborates with government agencies, local authorities, Office of the prime minister, community-based organizations, international NGOs, and refugee-led groups to ensure coordinated, sustainable, and inclusive interventions.
By leveraging on partnerships, WCAYI enhances quality, reach, and sustainability of programs, fosters community ownership, and strengthens the capacity of local and refugee actors to respond to protection, empowerment, and peace building needs in Palorinya Refugee Settlement and Obongi District.