A two-day capacity enrichment workshop on gender equality for CSO Actors in the central region was on 14th and 15th December 2018 conducted by the School of Women and Gender Studies (SWGS), Makerere University and University Forum on Governance (UNIFOG) at Ridar Hotel Seeta Mukono.

The workshop was organized under the Gender Equality Project (GEP) funded by the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). The GEP project aims to contribute towards upholding gender equality legislation in Uganda through research, capacity building for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and engaging marginalized groups.

The activity purposed to strengthen the capacity of CSOs in the central region, to propose and advocate for inclusive pro-gender equality legislations and policies and to track results in gender equality. About 40 selected gender equality actors in CSOs from the central districts of Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Kiboga, and Masaka attended the workshop.

Participants discussed a range of topics including; gender concepts, norms, standards, envisioning gender in civil society through brainstorming on how gender is understood within their organizations, the gender programs implemented by their organizations, and the results of these programs. The workshop further discussed the overview of Uganda’s gender equality laws and policies, the political economy of gender equality legislative framework, understanding gender based analysis, planning and budgeting.  

Some of the CSO Actors sharing their views during the workshop

In addition, a panel discussion was held to discuss civil society’s contribution towards gender equality in Uganda. During the panel discussion, panelists were unanimous on cooperation, coalition and inclusive engagement within the CSOs and the general public being key prerequisites to achieving gender equality.

Panel members during the panel discussion. L-R is Ms. Evelyn Bukilwa from NGO Forum kiboga, Ms. Edna Ninsiima from WITs Institute, Mr. Godfrey Mwangye from NGO Forum Masaka, and Mr, Emma Kitamirike (moderator) from PPI Uganda

The Project Principal Investigator (PI) and Dean, SWGS Associate Prof. Sarah N. Ssali while delivering her session, stressed the need to mainstream gender in all CSOs’ work right from the inception stage if gender equality is to be achieved. She further advised CSOs to anchor their projects in the existing laws and policies.

Assoc. Prof. Sarah N. Ssali delivering her session during the workshop

While delivering his presentation, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, Makerere University Secretary implored social justice advocates to understand the context in which they are advocating for gender equality laws and policies. He advised participants to put into consideration the existence of diverse stakeholders in policy making with different levels of influence and competing interests and further advised them to try and work with all the players including government and know who has the power to influence change.

Mr. Yusuf Kiranda speaking to CSO Actors at the workshop

Participants expressed deep satisfaction with the quality and relevance of the training. On behalf of the participants, Mr. Godfrey Mwanje, NGO Chairperson, Masaka District complimented the SWGS and UNIFOG for having conducted the highly required capacity building training. He particularly appreciated the gender concepts that were not known to many and commended the team for putting together a gender equality toolkit that will be referred to while analyzing gender equality.

Participants pose for a group photo after the capcity building workshop

For more information on what transpired, follow the hashtag #CSO4Gender and #GenderEquality on our twitter page: @MAK_SWGS and facebook page: Makerere University School of Women and Gender Studies