UYDT’s Justification for supporting women: Despite the existence of strong, progressive and articulated global and continental policies, strategies and action plans on women, peace and security, women and girls continue to bear the brunt of conflicts in Africa. They remain victims of sexual violence and other forms of abuses and are still underrepresented in peace processes at local, national and continental level. The UYDT women empowerment program seeks to bridge the gap between policy and realities on the ground by improving the services around women as well as creating concrete interventions in post-conflict situations addressing specific challenges faced by women and girls as they arise.
UYDT acknowledges that women are key to sustainable development. It appreciates that Uganda can only develop fully when both women and men are educate and work together. Unfortunately, women and girls in Uganda are often victims of structures in society that has kept them;
- Ignorant and in subservient roles
- Un-exposed to modern farm economies, while farming is their major livelihood
- Far from developing their leadership potential, while re-known for their hard work and multi-tasking abilities.
Most rural mothers;
- Don’t make informed decisions on nutrition, vaccination and family planning.
- They are insufficiently educated to get out of the poverty trap.
- They are not allowed to participate effectively in community development planning and policy formulation.
Therefore, most of UYDT’s training and education interventions are geared towards;
- Creating a pool of value driven knowledgeable women who participate effectively in socio- economic development and political activities. Including speaking up for peaceful ways of dealing with tribal and other differences.
- Ensure that at least 80% of it’s senior staff are female.
UYDT Empowers women through:
- Artisan training
- Special projects
- Girl Education Movement (GEM)
Examples of UYDT’s girls and women empowerment intervention and achievements
- From 2014 UYDT, supports women entrepreneurship initiatives. Examples are;
The first group of women were trained on artisan skills; basket making, soap making, table cloth making and were supported with startup tools needed to start their business. Over 250 women benefited from this program.
- Over 150 women were supported in starting up income generating ventures like tree seedling raising which involved 100 women and village saving group of 50 women. Where women are actively involved and have productively benefited themselves individually and household
