The Eastern Africa Social and Learning Collaborative (EALC) is a network of practitioners, researchers and evaluators who support social/gender norms programming, strengthen expertise at implementation level and inform policy and influence development outcomes. The EALC was formed in April 2020,and is co-hosted by the School of Women and Gender Studies (SWGS) and CARE International (CI) in Uganda.
On Friday 28th April 2023, the EALC had a small grants Launch and Validation workshop that hosted members from thematic groups, small grant awardees, representatives from School of Women and Gender studies, representatives from University of San Diego (UCSD) and Staff from CARE International. Dr. Daphine, Dr. Asaba and Dr. Mpiima represented the School of Women and Gender Studies (SWGS).
The small grant awardees made presentations about the projects they plan to implement and got feedback from the participants on how to improve or make the projects more focused. The workshop participants were also taken through a presentation byMoses Kasaga (the project IT specialist) on the ‘draft Online Playbook’, and got feedback on ways of improving it.
Myname is Anezka Houskova, 24 years and I am pursuing a degree in Global Development and Planning, with a specialization in Development Management at the University of Agder, Norway. I was motivated to choose coming to Makerere University for a mobility scholarship provided through the gender and digitalisation (GENDIG) project, for a number of reasons. First I had come to Uganda in 2019 for a field course in my second semester of my Bachelor of Global Development studies. I enjoyed my time in Uganda very much, and always dreamt of coming back. Additionally, inmigration and gender were two topics I care about and wanted to delve deeper into. This Scholarship would allow me to do so regarding finances. I must say that this scholarship provided me the opportunity to do fieldwork in Uganda, a country that hosts many refugees and to work with professors at Makerere University who have a lot of knowledge and interest in the topic of refugees.
The coming to the School of Women and gender Studies, at Makerere University has been of value to me. First,the semesters look different in Norway and Uganda, were the first few weeks very slow because of the exam season and graduation at Mak. This resulted in me starting the fieldwork and collaboration with Mak later than expected. However, I was welcomed and the GENDIG project team took very goodcare of me. I am especially thankful for our contact personsDr. Ruth Nsibirano, Mr. Bernard Nkwanga and my mentor Dr. Victoria Namuggala who helped in navigating Ugandan university system and culture. The value I have gained from the University has been great. First, collaborating with the School of Women and gender studies gave me another insight into gender which I wouldn’t have gained. Secondly, seeing the hard work of students at the University gave me new motivation to try to do the same.
I enjoyed conversations with my mentor, the canteens and how easy it was to get into conversation with people at campus. I am also so grateful for the support from various staff members at the School of Women and Gender Studies.
As mentioned earlier, I started my fieldwork later than expected, this was a challenge that I encountered. I suggest that exchange students should be taken on a tour of the big Campus to become better acquainted with it and be able to use campus more.
One of the biggest lesson in life that I have taken away from this exchangeis that higher education to many is a privilege and not always so easy as in Norway. For many in Uganda, higher educations is distant dream in life, while for me it was a matter of course as a Norwegian citizen. This made me rethink education, my own motivation for doing this course and what it can mean for people and that I should appreciate the opportunity I have been given.
My name is Susanne Sævdal Bere, I am 23 years. I am pursuing Master in Global Development and Planning, specialization in Development Management at the University of Agder. I was motivated to come toMakerere University for this mobility scholarship so that I can be able to experience what we have learned theoretically during our studies and apply it into real life fieldwork.
My main study area is the Global South, and it was therefore an incredible opportunity to be able to receive the scholarship and live in Uganda for a few months. I was interested in how flooding impacts women in the global south, and it was therefore a great opportunity to be able to hear about it firsthandfrom the women in Kampala. I must say that coming to the School of Women and Gender Studies, at Makerere University has been valuable. I have learned new perspectives and ways of doing things. I have learned to be more detailed in developing a research project, and how to work in collaboration with others. It was especially insightful to work together with the local mentorwho provided new perspectives on the thesis project.
The best part of the experience was the people and being able to go out in the field talking to locals and gaining insight into the everyday life of residents in Kampala. I found that most Ugandans are friendly and eager to help you in any way. The staff at SWGS always greeted us with a smile and were always available.
There is a strong belief that employment is a crucial avenue for the empowerment of young women, through income, greater autonomy, and bargaining power within the family.
However, experiences of workplace sexual harassment undermine these potential gains. This qualitative study among agro-processing factory workers and domestic workers in Uganda and Bangladesh demonstrates that sexual harassment is widespread in both formal and informal workplaces, while domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to its most severe forms. Women’s agency to challenge harassment is severely constrained by social and gender norms. Most find that the best possible strategy is to avoid and prevent physical forms of sexual harassment from happening. Language is essential for voicing and challenging sexual harassment, but the study shows that social and gender norms constrain young women in articulating transgressive and inappropriate behaviour by men. Many women hide detail, deliberately use euphemisms, and even lack a vocabulary to explain what happened to them, ultimately limiting opportunities for redressal.
At the same time, formal institutions are failing young female workers. Local authorities in both countries reproduced prejudice about women ‘inviting’ sexual attention, whereas the police are generally distrusted because of corruption and the need for bribes. To tackle sexual harassment in the workplace, multipronged strategies are needed that target employers and government actors. The right policies and adequate safeguarding and reporting mechanisms need to be implemented, whereas programmes need to support women to help them gain the confidence to speak about sexual harassment and support (collective) action. Longer-term strategies need to address gender norms that condone sexual harassment.
Makerere University, through the School of Women and Gender Studies, is implementing a six-year project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED II).
The project title is Gender and digitalization (GENDIG) across context. Makerere University will implement this project together with the University of Agder in Norway and the University of Dar es Salam in Tanzania.
The project is searching for candidates to fill two postdoctoral position, tenable at Makerere University.
The candidates will be required to conduct research focusing on one or a combination from the four themes:
Gender, Digitalization and Graduate Training (specifically, to study the Impact of Gender and Digitalization, or, explore the added value of digitalization on training and learning at post graduate level).
Teaching Gender Across Context Collaboratively
Gender Equality and Inclusion for Community Impact.
Digitalization and Policy Implications Eligibility The interested candidate should fulfill the following requirements: Must be a Staff of Makerere University, able to demonstrate ability and potential for growing a research career Hold a PhD within five years since receiving the award This opportunity is open to males (less than 45 years) and females (Less than 50 years). How to Apply The Post Doc applicant should fill the provided application form, and include copies of academic certificates, letter of motivation, letter of appointment and a CV. Deadline for application: 21st April 2022 at 17:00hrs EAT Interested candidates should send applications via email to Ms. Monica Nabukalu: mutyabamoni@gmail.com Copied to: consolata.kabonesa@gmail,com, wasejojo98@gmail.com and rnsibirano2015@gmal.com . These contacts can also be used for inquiries. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Makerere University, through the School of Women and Gender Studies, is implementing a six-year project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED II). The project title is Gender and digitalization (GENDIG) across context. Makerere University will implement this project together with the University of Agder in Norway and the University of Dar es Salam in Tanzania.
The project is searching for candidates to fill two postdoctoral positions, tenable at Makerere University.
The candidates will be required to conduct research focusing on one or a combination from the four themes:
Gender, Digitalization and Graduate Training (specifically, to study the Impact of Gender and Digitalization, or, explore the added value of digitalization on training and learning at post graduate level).
Teaching Gender Across Context Collaboratively
Gender Equality and Inclusion for Community Impact.
Digitalization and Policy Implications Eligibility The interested candidate should fulfill the following requirements: Must be a Staff of Makerere University, able to demonstrate ability and potential for growing a research career Hold a PhD within five years since receiving the award This opportunity is open to males (less than 45 years) and females (Less than 50 years). How to Apply The Post Doc applicant should fill the provided application form, and include copies of academic certificates, letter of motivation, letter of appointment and a CV. Deadline for application: 21st April 2022 at 17:00hrs EAT Interested candidates should send applications via email to Ms. Monica Nabukalu: mutyabamoni@gmail.com Copied to: consolata.kabonesa@gmail,com, wasejojo98@gmail.com and rnsibirano2015@gmal.com . These contacts can also be used for inquiries. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Conference Logistics and Guidelines to Paper Presenters:
1. This conference, organized by the School of Women and Gender Studies brings together 492 participants from 33 countries. It is open to Scholars, Researchers, Policy Makers and Activists working in the field of Genders and Gender Studies in Africa. The Conference: a) Brings together different Gender units in Africa to share experiences of teaching and researching in Women and Gender Studies in Africa; b) Examines the contribution of Women and Gender Studies to Africa’s development; c) Examines how crises such as war, HIV, COVID19 and neoliberalism have shaped the teaching of Gender studies in the academy; d) Assesses the link between Women’s organising/activism in Africa and the subject of Gender studies in the African Academy; and e) Repositions Women and Gender Studies in Africa for the future
2. Makerere University is generously hosting the event at its Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF2) and providing all the on-site logistical support. This includes transport from the hotel to the conference venue, lunch and snacks to all registered participants.
3. Conference participants are self-sponsoring, paying for their own travel, accommodation and upkeep. The conference will not provide per diems.
4. Travelling participants are encouraged to reserve accommodation at recommended hotels as displayed on the conference website (https://icgsa.mak.ac.ug/).
5. Travelling participants are encouraged to notify the conference organisers if they need assistance for booking hotels and if they will need transport pickups from the hotel to the conference venue. Accommodation at recommended hotels as displayed on the conference website (https://icgsa.mak.ac.ug/).
6. Presentations will take the shape of keynote speeches, plenary discussions, parallel sessions and exhibitions.
7. Some presenters will present virtually while others will be physically present at the conference venue.
8. Lunch, morning and evening break teas will be provided at the slated times at the conference venue (CTF2)
9. Participants are expected to register online at https://icgsa.mak.ac.ug/. Please let the conference secretariat know of any challenges you may have regarding registration.
10. Travelling participants are encouraged to secure their own health/travel insurance.
11. Participants will be provided with name tags and conference stationery starting from 8 am on Wednesday 23rd February 2022.
12. Participants interested in a cultural even will be required to indicate so on the first day of the conference to enable the conference organizers plan for any.
13. Conference abstracts for papers/panels to be presented have been shared in the Book of Abstracts found on the conference website (https://icgsa.mak.ac.ug/).
14. Keynote Paper presenters have 45 minutes to do their presentation. At the end of the presentation, the Chair has 5 minutes to comment on the presentation. There will be no questions or comments from the audience.
15. Plenary Paper presenters have 15 minutes each to present their papers. At the end of the presentations, there will be 30 minutes of general discussion.
16. Presentations at the Parallel Sessions are to be done in 12minutes. These will be followed with 30 minutes of general discussion.
17. A Zoom link will be provided for all conference Sessions
18. Session Chairs will be required to advertise their sessions, including enabling people to register for them in advance.
19. Each session will be covered by a rapporteur, who will be responsible for recording the proceedings of the event.
20. Participants are encouraged to keep checking on the conference website (https://icgsa.mak.ac.ug/) for any updates.
21. The conference organisers wish all participants a great conference experience and an enjoyable stay in Kampala.
Phone Contacts:1. Assoc. Prof. Sarah N. Ssali (Dean) – Email (sssaline2@gmail.com), Mobile (+256772663772)
