Rape Hurts Foundation (RHF)

I am Hellen Lunkuse W. Tanyinga, Founder and Executive Director of Rape Hurts Foundation (RHF). Our organization supports women and children, especially victims of gender-based violence, human trafficking, and modern-day slavery.

My passion for this work stems from my personal experience. At 11 years old, I was raped while fetching water from a village well. The trauma was compounded when my father blamed me for the assault and forced me to marry the perpetrator. My mother's courage in fleeing the village with me inspired my journey toward healing and advocacy. Defying cultural expectations, I became the first female in my village to graduate with a Bachelor's degree. Today, I'm proud to be a role model for young girls, empowering them to challenge harmful stereotypes.

At RHF, we understand that gender-based violence, human trafficking, and modern-day slavery are often rooted in economic dependency, climate change, illiteracy, unemployment, and poor governance. To address these complex issues, we employ a holistic approach.

Our comprehensive support services include providing safe spaces, platforms, and shelters for survivors. We offer emergency rapid response support, relocation assistance, and legal aid to ensure their safety and well-being. Additionally, we conduct documentation and research to better understand and combat these crimes. Through our Bukyerimba Vocational and Skilling Center, we empower women, girls, and young people with essential skills in areas like tailoring, agriculture, ICT, carpentry, and entrepreneurship. This training enables them to secure stable livelihoods and break free from economic dependency. Climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of women and children. In response, RHF implements sustainable projects such as solar power, organic farming, tree planting (with a goal of 18,500,000 trees by 2035), bee-farming, and recycling initiatives. Our WASH Project aims to provide safe, clean water to 5 million people in Busoga, Eastern Uganda by 2030. We also promote environmental conservation through our "Let the Birds Return and Sing Again" campaign, highlighting the dangers of deforestation and chemical use in farming and fishing.

To amplify our impact, we seek strategic partnerships, collaborations, and support beyond funding. We welcome joint project implementation, data and research partnerships, storytelling, and feedback.

Join us in our mission to empower women and children. Together, let's rise to the challenge.