Oxfam Novib

Oxfam Novib

Uganda Women#s Network (UWONET) was formed in 1993 as an advocacy network by Ugandan Women; 16 national women#s organisations, institutions and 9 individuals to steer women#s rights, gender transformation and equality agenda. The network was formed out of the East African Preparatory Conference held in Kampala in 1993 to spearhead Uganda women#s efforts which led to the participation in the UN World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995. UWONET was formed to champion a untied voice and create space for women to collectively address and take action on gender based discrimination in spheres of social economic and political life of women in Ugandaat all levels. UWONET#s core mandate is policy advocacy, however for the past five years it has concentrated programmatically on specific thematic areas and focus i.e. Women#s Leadership and Democratic Governance, Women#s Rights and Access to Justice, Women#s Economic Justice and Empowerment and Institutional Development and Organisational Strengthening. 1. ACHIEVEMENTS What have been the principal results in the past three years that contribute to significant, structural, sustained and positive improvement in the lives of men, women, girls and boys suffering from poverty, injustice, insecurity and exclusion? 1. Reduced tolerance and vulnerability to Gender Based Violence and most especially Violence against Women and Girls as a result of a holistic approach to GBV service delivery. 2. Policy influencing at National, regional and International levels such as engendering the NDP II, pushing for the enactment ofgender bills, policies and laws such as the Land Amendment Act, the Gender Policy, and the Marriage Bill, 2017. UWONET has also utilised global and regional processes and mechanisms to follow up on Uganda#s commitment to fulfilling gender through the CEDAW reporting and UPRM processes. 3. Increased and Improved access to justice and GBV case management as a result of strengthened individual, collective and systematic capacity of human rights and JLOS institutions such as the Police. SGBV desks have been introduced within the Police structure. 4. Increased women#s voice and influence in democratic governance and processes as a result of women#s participation in taking up leadership positions at all levels. Enhanced capacity and voice among district based women#s organisations henceengaged in demanding for accountability for gender equality.3. INSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE Mission: To coordinate action among UWONET membership and targeted stakeholders through networking, capacity building, resource mobilisation, policy research and advocacy for the attainment of gender equality in Uganda. Institutional objectives: 1) To promote women#s access to power and decision making positions in all sectorsand at all levels. 2) To improve the socio-economic conditions of women and other marginalized groups 3) To work towards the achievement of equal opportunities and rights to women in all sectors and increased access to and control of resources and benefits 4) To work towards the elimination of defilement, rape, violence against women and other forms of abuse against womenand children in society 5) To collect and disseminate information on the priority issues of concern to women. Fields of activity: Key thematic areas are: Women's Leadership and Democratic Governance; Women's Rights and Access to Justice; Women's Economic Justiceand Empowerment and institutional development and Organisation strengthening. The Geographical areas in which the organization works are Northern, Eastern, Western, West Nile and Karamoja Regions in districts of Lamwo, Kitgum, Agago, Pader, Amuru, Namutumba, Kamuli, Jinja, Buyende, Iganga, Mayuge, Kaliro, Bugiri, Moroto Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Kaboong, Amudat, Nebbi, Zombo and Mubende among others. Social Actors are, Women, Girls, district local governments, women councillors, police, health workers, women in business, CBOs, Women groups, Local councils among others. 4. STRATEGIC POSITIONING UWONET operatesin an environment in which there are a number of legal, policies and institutional frameworks for promotion of gender equality and increase in the number of women in politics such as the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, National Gender Policy 2007, and affirmative Action. However, the rights of women are continually violated and discrimination of women continues. social Actiors are: Women, Girls, district local governments, women councillors, police, health workers, women councillors, women inbusiness, CBOs, women groups, members of parliament, ministries such as Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Justice and Contitutional Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health among others. The uniqueness is around policy advocacy and influencing at different levelsi.e. national, regional and international with views from the local levels. In addition, available structures at the local/district levels to reach out to the communities i.e. district women networks.

Uganda Women's Network (UWONET)