Women councilors trained in effective legislative engagement

“…I have become more aware of what authority I possess 

and what my responsibilities are as a Councilor.

 I had not been oriented on my roles since I was 

elected Councilor.”

Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) organized a capacity building training in February 2012 for thirty nine (39) female District, Municipal and Sub County Councilors, majority of whom are new to the legislature, having been elected last year. The training aimed at enlightening the Councilors from Masindi and Busia districts on the Council operations as well as furnishing them with key skills necessary for effective legislation like public speaking, time management and mitigating conflict among others.

The Councilors discussed and agreed on priority areas of focus once they return to their respective districts. Councilors from Masindi agreed to mobilize women leaders, youth and disabled persons for effective participation in decision making, form Women Caucuses and lobby for inclusion of gender issues in the district Annual Budgets, while those from Busia planned to form coalitions and caucuses within Council to effectively lobby for gender equity.

The women perceived this training as extremely educative and timely and from their feedback, the sessions on the ‘role of councilors’ and ‘assertiveness’ as well as ‘tabling motions’ in council were most appreciated.

“The most interesting session was the role of a Councilor. I have become more aware of what authority I possess and what my responsibilities are as a Councilor. No one had oriented me on my roles since I was elected Councilor.” reported one of the participants

“I have learnt how to table an effective motion in Council”, is what another participant had to say when asked to share what she had found most beneficial during the training.

FOWODE organizes such capacity building trainings with an understanding that women in leadership are still constrained by the patriarchal tendencies and practices in legislatures that hinder their participation and thus the prioritization of the women’s issues in the legislatures. Additionally, the women tend to lack adequate skills and experiences to enable them effectively influence legislative decisions.

FOWODE believes that once trained, the women are better placed to influence legislature and because of that, FOWODE will continue building capacities of women at different level so they can effectively analyze and influence legislature from a gender perspective.

Story by: Carol Namagembe

Programme Officer Communications

Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE)