Forum for Women in Democracy Uganda

Food security remains a vital issue in the development of Uganda. According to a World Food Programme report, Nationally almost half (48%) of Ugandans are food energy de fi cient, spiking at 59% in northern Uganda, which is the most food insecure region.    Meet Ayella Lilly  a member of a model farmer's group in Amuru sub county, Amuru district.    The mother of three is envied for her efforts to educate her children relentlessly.  Ayera  is a beneficiary of the food security training that was conducted by done by FOWODE to help the female farmers ensure food security in their homes.  Lilly has built three granaries in her homestead with a capacity of three bags of grain each. she  has now bought 8 rabbits that reproduce and are sold at 3000/- a pair.  From savings, she has built a four roomed house.  ‘ My family is doing better now. My husband and I now agree on domestic issues because I also contribute to the family’s welfare.’ Ayella says FOW

‘I am working with women in Amuria but there is something different about the FOWODE female farmers’. These are the words of Christine Iyamet, the Amuru district NAADs coordinator.  At a monitoring visit in Amuria Sub County, the NAADs coordinator commended FOWODE for not giving the female farmers money but knowledge. Iyamet says many interventions have made women in the communities get used to hand outs inform of money. ‘ In Kuju sub county, the FOWODE groups are the easiest to deal with. Their participation is good and I have no problems mobilization. Many are now becoming leaders. ’ she said.  The Kuju female farmers group has given birth to 10 other women’s groups after the success of the trained farmers. These groups have been registered at the sub county and are now using the lessons learnt from the FOWODE farmers.  FOWODE is implementing a 3 year project to make female headed households food secure. The project that runs in the districts of Amuru, Amuria and

Patricia Munabi Babiiha, Executive Director of Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) was one of the African women from 15 countries across the continent who gathered in Nairobi Kenya from April 23 rd to the 24 th to deliberate and strategize on women’s political leadership in Africa. Convened by FEMNET (African Women’s Development and Communication Network) and Urgent Action Fund – Africa (UAF-Africa), the meeting engaged seasoned politicians, aspirants, women’s rights activists, leading organizations engaged in enhancing women’s political leadership, donors, UN agencies and the media. Participants discussed the varying socio-political contexts in which women in politics operate, including increasing militarism and fundamentalisms across the region. Personal accounts of political journeys were also shared over the course of the two days. Ms. Munabi Babiiha in her presentation which looked at “Women’s shifting position and condition in East Africa’s political landscape: A critic

Transparency and accountability are the heart of good governance. Yet in Uganda, many times funds that are allocated to public sector services get lost in hands of public servants leading to an appalling state of service. So what happens when community members visit health center and find no medicine or children go to school but barely find a teacher in the classroom? For any country to develop, people must collectively demand for accountability from their leaders. Meet the men and women of Awach Sub County Gulu district that have rolled up their sleeves to monitor government services in selected communities under the Village Budget Clubs program. These community members have learned that they have the right to demand for accountability of better infrastructure, Healthcare, agriculture and education. In Gwengdiya community in Awach Sub County Gulu district, the VBCs visited Pugwinyi health center II, and Bucoro Primary School and Olel Primary School in Pukony. When th

Looking at Adimo Mary a 68-year-old woman in Kuju Sub County, Amuria district it is hard to comprehend that her dreams of changing her community through leadership are still alive. “I have seen the male leaders in my community creating division in the electorate now I don’t fear. I am determined to speak out for the voiceless especially the women in my community.” Says Adimo. Mary is a seasoned farmer that picked a lot of interest in the FOWODE women’s farmers’ program on food security. Although she was not a beneficiary of the food security trainings, Mary has learnt a lot from those that had been trained. Adimo has not allowed her age to hinder her dreams she strongly believes that as a woman she can make a significant impact. So as 2016 general elections draw close, she has made up her mind to contest for the LC1 chairperson seat in her village. She has realized that there are a lot of gaps with the present leadership and can take advantage of this position be a voice for

This post is adapted from Chritine Lagarde's  prepared remarks  efore the National Democratic Institute, Washington DC on May 19, 2014 Good afternoon. It is great to be here today among friends and kindred spirits. The National Democratic Institute is a passionate advocate for the full participation of women in the life of nations. I admire you, I salute you, I am with you. Let me begin by thanking Madeleine Albright, a great public servant, a great inspiration to us all, and to me personally. I would also like to thank Kenneth Wollack, the president of the Institute, and the talented Claire Shipman. Let me also recognize the wonderful organization being honored today, Aswat Nisaa, and its president, Ikram Ben Saïd. This group is doing remarkable work in Tunisia in furthering gender equality and women's leadership--and will set standards, I hope, in neighboring countries and around the world. The world needs more people who do what you do. I want to begin today