tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14181664617963561222024-03-13T11:16:25.931-07:00Action For Development-ACFODEAction for Development (ACFODE) is an indigenous, voluntary, non partisan, non governmental women’s interest organization that was formed on November 19, 1985. Its founders were motivated by the desire to spearhead gender advocacy. In this regard ACFODE envisions a just society where gender equality is a reality. The organization’s mission is to empower women and influence legislation and policy for gender equality in Uganda ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-35543446393447999822014-04-11T03:30:00.000-07:002014-04-11T03:33:22.405-07:00REDUCED SEXUAL VIOLENCE CASES AGAINST GIRLS AND WOMEN IN KISORO DISTRICT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
According to men and women of Kisoro district, there have been reduced cases of sexualized violence against girls and women. This advancement was realized during the extensive interaction/monitoring visit with project beneficiaries and stakeholders in the four rural sub counties of Busanza, Kirundo, Nyarusiza and Nyakabanda. This was part of activities under the ACFODE project titled; “Prevention and handling of cases of sexual violence against girls and women in the rural areas of Kisoro district and enforcement of women’s rights at national level in Uganda” that is being implemented in partnership with German NGO EIRENE with support from the German government.</div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.720000267028809px;">CODERASH members pose for the camera after a follow-up meeting in Nyarusiza sub county.</span></span></b></i></div>
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The exercise involved the EIRENE project officer Great lakes region/Africa Mr. Hauke Steg, whose task was to meet the project team, monitor the progress and achievements and together identify new actions for successful implementation of the project. Among the activities conducted were; sharing of experiences, challenges and success stories, discussing way forward and drawing work plans, presentations of drama, poems and songs by pupils, and an exhibition event themed “know your role in the fight against gender based violence,” including pro-bono services such as counseling, reporting of cases, and HIV testing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; line-height: 14.949999809265137px; text-align: justify;"><i>Kabindi P/S entertaining guests at the exhibition event </i></b></td></tr>
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The three year project is aimed at socially and culturally empowering women and girls in Kisoro district to enforce their rights and suffer less from sexual violence. The project is implemented through a community and school based approach local and national level advocacy work, monthly talk shows, and referral and psycho-social counselling services for GBV survivors. </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.949999809265137px;"><b><i>Exhibition inspection at the Mayor's garden in Kisoro District.</i></b></span></span></div>
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ACFODE trained social actors of the four rural sub counties on the topics regarding sexualized violence i.e. definition, detecting and handling of sexual violence cases, prevention and effective mobilization, documentation and reporting. The trained community facilitators formed committees at parish level titled CODERASH (Combating all forms of Rape, Defilement, and Sexual Harassment).</div>
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Stakeholders noted that there have been reduced cases of sexual violence in their areas. “Before the project’s inception, we had alarming SGBV cases in Nyarusiza Sub County and the situation has since improved as a result,” testified the Nyarusiza CDO Ms Annet Tumwebaze. “Unlike before, I rarely receive cases of sexual violence in my area.” she added. Mr. Twambaze Justus, a Parish Chief in the same sub county said that during his monitoring visits in the different parish gatherings e.g. Bataka kweterana, residents rarely report or raise sexual violence cases. Senior teachers and head teachers who have been involved in the project recognized a reduction in sexual violence cases and early pregnancies in their schools. Pupils, parents and teachers have been sensitized by their peers resulting in openness and willingness to report cases and to say no to early/unlawful sexual activities. Only the OC Kisoro Police Station still receives about the same number of sexual violence cases.</div>
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Despite the successes registered, the district is still grappling with land issues such as land ownership, inheritance and occupancy, and consent over buying and selling land which fuel sexualized gender based violence at house hold and community level. Community facilitators were therefore equipped with basic information on land rights in Uganda. In addition, stakeholders pledged to involve more men in the struggle and strategized on how to best address the project deterring issues to realize a sexual violence free society for gender equality.</div>
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ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-29380081928643825602014-04-04T01:13:00.000-07:002014-04-11T03:38:57.915-07:00ACFODE LAUNCHES WOMEN LEADERSHIP ADVISORY DESKS FOR WOMEN LEADERS IN NAMUTUMBA, DOKOLO AND PADER DISTRICTS<div style="text-align: justify;">
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In a bid to improve women leaders’ effectiveness in leadership and decision making processes, and address social-cultural and political factors which hinder participation of women in leadership, ACFODE in partnership with the Netherlands government and DIAKONIA launched women leadership advisory desks for women leaders and those aspiring for leadership in politics and public administration in the districts of Namutumba, Dokolo and Pader.<br /><br />
There has been an increase in the number of women participating in politics and public administration at both local and national level as a result of Uganda ratifying and implementing a number of international and national laws such as the 1995 constitution, the National gender policy and CEDAW amongst others. However, the number has not exceeded much the reserved seats for women allocated under the affirmative action slot. Additionally, the increase in numbers of women in these political spaces has equally not measured to effectiveness and influence in decision making processes and structures. In public administration the ratio of women to men in the public sphere does not reflect the population segment of 50.9% women (UBOS, 2012).<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLjsFi23Yl6SRYzy8zXSDXOvNNLlgQ3TZl5yAEUk5iOn5AeOf6pcerCKjseZauy6dfIaamOBVwn_LcrqEaGgP6CA2OGZKq5BR7kk3V5I1O1G3WudlbWW4YKXc6WNbOnnTAWigU9nUk1o/s1600/IMG_2634.jpg"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLjsFi23Yl6SRYzy8zXSDXOvNNLlgQ3TZl5yAEUk5iOn5AeOf6pcerCKjseZauy6dfIaamOBVwn_LcrqEaGgP6CA2OGZKq5BR7kk3V5I1O1G3WudlbWW4YKXc6WNbOnnTAWigU9nUk1o/s1600/IMG_2634.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />
During the events held at the district head quarters, Ms. Yossa Daisy the project officer noted that women aspiring for leadership and those currently in leadership continue to face constraints such as literacy levels, social bias, low levels of education, lack of mentors, lack of reference materials limited access to information and exposure.discrimination based on sex, patriarchy within political parties and society, violence, inferiority complexes, challenges balancing public and domestic roles.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr9oUw1Q-zplktK_raIOJ_sG6-WkpBz67UYVJSZ4n0sVlXoC3FLbzcDjZegvjwgulTLjQBTgWt7BReM2URempCT_52LuvnVGftBQgAzMb02DJavK_c3Um8LWbgk97L3eBDkM2Qt1yE7E/s1600/IMG_2766.jpg"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr9oUw1Q-zplktK_raIOJ_sG6-WkpBz67UYVJSZ4n0sVlXoC3FLbzcDjZegvjwgulTLjQBTgWt7BReM2URempCT_52LuvnVGftBQgAzMb02DJavK_c3Um8LWbgk97L3eBDkM2Qt1yE7E/s1600/IMG_2766.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />
Against this back drop, the desks are aimed at improving the effectiveness of women leaders in leadership and decision making processes, increasing the numbers of women in direct elective positions in parliament, local councils, at district and sub county levels and addressing social-cultural and political factors which hinder participation of women in decision making and electoral processes. The desks are located at the project operational ACFODE field offices and will be a platform for mentoring and coaching women leaders and access to relevant information.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pThRNGKklxCKogtTEk2ZiYq2yRSQ6deRn5XE9x16Sl2SMz7hmldEuXFDutrxrMY5fuXFnhxa2QyeSJpuJYphvTntFUQZvwnP2-lob80fCcL2bJvRpnhqvGKFnHGaCPnY9-4c2Sa7fg0/s1600/IMG_2681.jpg"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pThRNGKklxCKogtTEk2ZiYq2yRSQ6deRn5XE9x16Sl2SMz7hmldEuXFDutrxrMY5fuXFnhxa2QyeSJpuJYphvTntFUQZvwnP2-lob80fCcL2bJvRpnhqvGKFnHGaCPnY9-4c2Sa7fg0/s1600/IMG_2681.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />
Ms Hilda Akabwai an ACFODE board member encouraged women to effectively utilise this opportunity to make an impact in their districts. “Most times women miss out on government resources because they are not aware of their rights but with this project, the situation is bound to change,” said the Namutumba CAO Mr. Magili Joseph. Participants were thrilled about the desks and the services to be rendered.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJM9PQZn1AbwTI-8xGog4r1nrES_8GhKIhiegwtZiGPkrzzb6opC41LsY4zRw3xTqXK5VbuUfCGRoB2zwMOjOZLyZ-gMctlmeEynDYGtf8gVkmOalmxBegi11nAOfogE6TVMMTN_Nw52Q/s1600/klein.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJM9PQZn1AbwTI-8xGog4r1nrES_8GhKIhiegwtZiGPkrzzb6opC41LsY4zRw3xTqXK5VbuUfCGRoB2zwMOjOZLyZ-gMctlmeEynDYGtf8gVkmOalmxBegi11nAOfogE6TVMMTN_Nw52Q/s320/klein.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Country Director of KAS, Ms. Angelika Klein and ACFODE Director Ms. Regina Bafaki launch the report with representatives from civil society and government </span></i></b></div>
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On 19th September 2013, Action For Development (ACFODE) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) launched the final report on the state of democratic governance and accountability at local government level in Uganda. The report was the final product of the project: "Action for Strengthening Good Governance and Accountability" implemented with support from the European Union under the Democratic Governance and Accountability Programme. </div>
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It is an outcome of an assessment conducted in 11 districts in Uganda namely: Kiboga and Masaka in the central region, Jinja, Palisa, and Soroti in the eastern region, Arua, Lira, and Pader in the northern region, and Kabale, Kisoro, and Mbarara in the western region. The assessment tool was designed to monitor and measure the state of governance in the selected districts and inform major stakeholders about key trends and needed interventions.</div>
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The assessment established a general improvement of democratic trends in the districts characterized by general elections that enlist high levels of citizen participation, the presence of frameworks for citizen engagement in the decision making including in the district planning processes, as well as increasing opportunities for participation of women and young adults in decision making. The assessment however highlighted a number of issues that require urgent improvement including;</div>
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• Limited awareness of local citizens about their power and the extent of this power in the democratic system. This restricts their ability to exercise their right to promote and demand for democratic practice and accountability. Citizens are not fully confident to demand accountability from their leaders. </div>
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• The disconnection between elected leaders and citizens, which facilitates an atmosphere of limited consultation and feedback between the electorate and their democratic representatives. </div>
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• Limited transparency in decision making, especially regarding the allocation of limited resources within the districts. </div>
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• Failure to hold elections for lower local councils, which has promoted illegitimacy and ineffectiveness, thereby curtailing a key channel to grassroots democratic participation. </div>
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• Unfair politics, which is especially disadvantageous to the political opposition as their activities at the grassroots are limited by local authorities. </div>
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• Limited levels of identification with and ownership of public affairs and resources, among citizens. Also, a culture of tolerance for corruption among all stakeholders, including citizens. </div>
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• Limited channels for citizens to access information </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOGEocznr9sJnuO7nu5njUIQ8F8NZ_IodJ77RYzGAPANT3o_KhjIGlNtCp0mUEEDL8QsQZXiFiZtmKlodYiX7-Mx_o19Y_EfG4Fr0E7spFZPJXi6Upfg8ycEmNRC52e-G2CWpQ8_pJqg/s1600/ed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOGEocznr9sJnuO7nu5njUIQ8F8NZ_IodJ77RYzGAPANT3o_KhjIGlNtCp0mUEEDL8QsQZXiFiZtmKlodYiX7-Mx_o19Y_EfG4Fr0E7spFZPJXi6Upfg8ycEmNRC52e-G2CWpQ8_pJqg/s1600/ed.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ACFODE Executive Director, Ms. Regina Bafaki, making remarks after the launch of the report</span></i></b></div>
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The key recommendations from the assessment were:</div>
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• Civic education can no longer continue to be a sporadic endeavor usually targeted around election times. The several calls that have been made for continuous civic education should be heeded. This intervention needs to be targeted towards elected leaders in as much the same way as it will address local citizens. While civil society organizations can continue to play a strong role in this regard, it is important that the Uganda Human Rights Commission in fulfillment of its constitutional mandate takes lead as the front runner in carrying out civic education.</div>
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• The long-existing demand for elections at lower local councils needs to be met. Since their elections have not been conducted for the last two electoral cycles, the existing office bearers are generally illegitimate and less effective. However, the units avail the state with governance platforms close to regular citizens, thus providing a key avenue for democratic participation. </div>
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• Local authorities in the districts, sub counties and villages need to demonstrate a better appreciation of the pluralistic political system, which currently governs Uganda. In particular they need to desist from unnecessary limitations on the free operation of political parties and other legal associations that express interest in engaging in public discourse on political topics. Public institutions cannot act partisan in a multiparty setting.</div>
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• The close interconnection between the state and politics needs to be addressed. Within the districts there remain several public officers who act as if they represent the ruling party. Their actions have been reported to curtail free political competition.</div>
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• Budget limitations withstanding, elected leaders in the districts need to come up with innovative ways to improve contacts with citizens. The idea of a public accountability day at district and other lower levels presents some of the initiatives that can be considered. This initiative has already been taken up in Kiboga district.</div>
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• There is need for strong public education to promote zero tolerance for corruption. Citizens also need to identify more with public affairs and hold ownership of public resources.</div>
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• There is also need to improve and sensitize citizens about existing channels for accessing information from local governance units.</div>
<br /> <br /><br />Story credit: <a href="http://www.kas.de/uganda/en/events/56762/">http://www.kas.de/uganda/en/events/56762/</a><br /><br />Photo credit: Esther Namitala, KASACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-10242840454334848232013-09-09T01:43:00.000-07:002013-09-09T01:43:21.406-07:00ACFODE Strengthens Women Administrators Forums in Namutumba, Dokolo and Padere Districts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpvlJ3nDVRL_nnrfMFMTmqgO8URA-Mmi2jfv6czKhlFlNLcQwevwH1MsnutNPpwo6Qjd1Lri9OXI7UoTWvLqWwJPUhDSCVFY7LejwJrttR_J7LA3qW9QKK_vKG2M1V-QlFy2bDr0Qb4U/s1600/executive.jpg" /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The newly elected Executive Committee for the Pader District Women Administrators Forum</span></i></b></div>
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From the 2nd to 7th of September 2013, ACFODE with support from Diakonia and the Netherlands government carried out workshops aimed at building the capacity of female public administrators in Pader, Dokolo and Namutumba districts to harness their individual and collective potential for greater influence in their districts of leadership. The workshops enabled ACFODE to follow up on the commitments made by the female administrators during dialogues held in September 2012 in the targeted districts. Specifically, commitments were made to form and enforce three forums for women in public administration, that is, the Pader District Women Administrators Forum, Dokolo District Women Administrator's Forum and the Namutumba District Women Administrators Forum.</div>
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In addition, the participants were trained on gender sensitive planning, coalition building and goal setting. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis of the district forums exposed a number of common weaknesses such as; low attendance to forum meetings due to great distance between members sub counties of operation, poor coordination of the forums due to a shaky Executive Structure, and low self esteem among several members. </div>
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As a result, the forums were facilitated in a session on goal, vision, mission and objective setting. This was followed by re- elections of the existing Executive Committees, in order to ensure the existence of leaders who are committed to the attainment of the forum vision.</div>
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Despite the apparent challenges however, the workshop participants were able to report significant achievements both as individuals and as district forums. Some of these include;</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">ALICE AYO OGAL</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER PADER DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">CHAIR PERSON-PADER DISTRICT WOMEN ADMINISTRATORS FORUM</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBgN_oRhXhx1arnW2Rvyh9mGDS2D-t0TTPnebIkDW04ExQ6OZCwleOZo13iK6s6hGS0T29ACXm4xZ9m9wPK5FWxeJfzRvnTrMcI3lEWZieN2y2WbL4zCURnYFduGlKAK5GYtmmj2EI8o/s1600/ALICE.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBgN_oRhXhx1arnW2Rvyh9mGDS2D-t0TTPnebIkDW04ExQ6OZCwleOZo13iK6s6hGS0T29ACXm4xZ9m9wPK5FWxeJfzRvnTrMcI3lEWZieN2y2WbL4zCURnYFduGlKAK5GYtmmj2EI8o/s1600/ALICE.jpg" /></a></div>
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My name is Alice and I am a beneficiary of the first training for female public administrators organized by ACFODE in 2012. Before the training, I had submitted to the District Service Commission (DSC) a request for the promotion of two female staff, that is, Lamaci Christine an Accounts Assistant and Amony Christine Ruth a Health Inspector. The person working as the Secretary, DSC at the time refused to work on the two files simply because he had a negative attitude towards female employees. All my efforts to follow up the matter were fruitless.</div>
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When ACFODE brought a workshop for women administrators in 2012, they trained us on the importance of our voices in the society and the power of a good legacy as a woman administrator. I regained confidence and determination to return to the DSC. I was relieved to find a new Secretary in place, and I resubmitted my request after explaining the importance of promoting the two female employees.</div>
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As a result of my efforts, Lamaci Christine was promoted to senior accounts assistant. Although Ruth Christine Amony's promotion hasn't been realized yet, I am confident that it is currently being processed.</div>
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<b>MARGARET EYATU</b></div>
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<b>HEAD TEACHER, IGULI PRIMARY SCHOOL</b></div>
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<b>DOKOLO DISTRICT</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoA3FgkSTXd8gCp0d5LrPLEGyzXTxxxZiDHBCAUDjygWXjkX56GnEeVe_TKeQQH_vSWPBnPP4dIWcqwRBY2vrFhUyQXv7v0eDRapfqMyMhsPdalbnmLO_UTPvnwjByy0wlmw_aC_occjo/s1600/MARGARET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoA3FgkSTXd8gCp0d5LrPLEGyzXTxxxZiDHBCAUDjygWXjkX56GnEeVe_TKeQQH_vSWPBnPP4dIWcqwRBY2vrFhUyQXv7v0eDRapfqMyMhsPdalbnmLO_UTPvnwjByy0wlmw_aC_occjo/s1600/MARGARET.jpg" /></a></div>
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I attended the ACFODE training in September 2012 and I was able to learn a number of things. I learned that it is important to leave a good legacy behind as a leader and that an effective leader makes her voice heard on issues of importance. I realized that in my school, girls were afraid to take up leadership positions. Therefore, in October 2012 I instituted empowerment sessions for girls. As a result, the girls stood for leadership positions in 2013 and as I speak, the overall Head Prefect at Iguli Primary school is a girl, Annet Akello, while the Head of English is also a girl, Flavia Egol. I am determined to empower these girls; recently a few months ago I was called away from school for a day and I appointed Annet Akello as AGG Head Teacher, although she was afraid of the responsibility. When I returned, the school was in order and everyone including teachers were able to give her respect because of her maturity in leadership. I was impressed and glad that her leadership skills are being developed.</div>
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I also encourage my female teaching staff regularly to develop their potential, and even apply for positions of leadership whenever an opportunity arises. This is because most of them are shy and afraid of men. However, I am glad to report that the Dokolo district local government is set to advertise for head teacher positions in government schools in October, and my female teachers are eagerly looking forward to submitting their applications. I am glad that they are not shying away from great responsibility.</div>
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In addition, one of my female teachers, who was totally dependent on her husband for money, failed to take her children to school when he denied his responsibility. I encouraged her to take leadership of her home, and taught her how to budget her salary. She was soon able to open a simple lock-up next to her home where she sells bread that she bakes from home as well as some agricultural products including simsim, millet and maize from her garden. Her children are back in school and she is a stronger woman.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">LILLIAN GRACE OCARI</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">SECRETARY, DOKOLO WOMEN ADMINISTRATORS FORUM</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ibdyGiztvOGzjJ6ScIqstZw8RvFpqMqScuvvdqOQ5cuM2IQDIyukIHZYSRE2f-vZkEE83v6J-nNSYqkNJ74UXv6A83ryiHuX6IAgZOmecHEX1HEDq7A5fCzGyIp4RV_iz-7uznjNGN0/s1600/LILLIAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ibdyGiztvOGzjJ6ScIqstZw8RvFpqMqScuvvdqOQ5cuM2IQDIyukIHZYSRE2f-vZkEE83v6J-nNSYqkNJ74UXv6A83ryiHuX6IAgZOmecHEX1HEDq7A5fCzGyIp4RV_iz-7uznjNGN0/s1600/LILLIAN.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was evening when my phone rang and I was informed that one of the members of the Dokolo District Women Administrators Forum, Ms Lydia Ogwal, had lost her husband. Thankfully, luck was on our side because the Forum committee meeting was scheduled for the next day. I used my office as the committee secretary to present to the meeting the need to offer emotional and financial support to the bereaved member. I further requested the committee to send representatives to the funeral.</div>
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To my satisfaction, the members gave financial assistance to the tune of 900,000/- and others ensured their physical presence at the burial. As a result of our concerted effort to attend the burial as a forum, we gained visibility from other districts that were represented. This experience taught us a great lesson; that the formation of a forum for women public administrators is a strong factor that unites us despite our diverse professions. Therefore, we are determined to maintain its existence.</div>
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<b>STELLA KIRIA</b></div>
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<b>HEAD TEACHER, BUWAMBI PRIMARY SCHOOL</b></div>
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<b>NAMUTUMBA DISTRICT</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANozgokvb9vLHT1meGzGUscpGD869BxPFOruaTW54WCq3M-mq-YjnvgVzXVhnE8cJdlLShE59nsmRCTDVz5xk7KfeRfa9s80WCISNqz6238reb5wDbfehOeuqaPVdEXY7Rms_FBtK6yw/s1600/STELLA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANozgokvb9vLHT1meGzGUscpGD869BxPFOruaTW54WCq3M-mq-YjnvgVzXVhnE8cJdlLShE59nsmRCTDVz5xk7KfeRfa9s80WCISNqz6238reb5wDbfehOeuqaPVdEXY7Rms_FBtK6yw/s1600/STELLA.jpg" /></a></div>
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After the ACFODE training in September 2012, I learned that as a leader, it is important to leave a good legacy. Therefore, in July 2013 I gathered all 6 female teachers from my school and formed a female teachers association. The association exists to promote the economic development of its members. Every month members contribute 30,000/- each to a construction fund and the lump sum is given to a chosen member to build her family home. So far, our group Treasurer has been able to Plaster the walls of her house, as a result of this fund.</div>
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Our association also collects an extra 3,000/-, from members on a weekly basis as part of a fund to purchase agricultural products. At the end of the month, we divide the products amongst ourselves and trade them for regular income. I am grateful to ACFODE for teaching me such relevant leadership skills, which are of benefit not only to me, but people around me.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">ZAINABU KAGOYA</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">SENIOR PERSONNEL OFFICER</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">CHAIR PERSON-NAMUTUMBA DISTRICT WOMEN ADMINISTRATOR'S FORUM</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjualaCHg5WOnP8aqBWOqBK3P5OhxmKiyEypbFXDS90Rsz-HPV9yvA1l4hLtrecjlEJByOclTeqKh1ssY6tOMH4HHVfW6XKaAHxfRmf53LgeKekCcVKq9LqguXs5hjQk_ocnh-ujx_wN20/s1600/ZAINA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjualaCHg5WOnP8aqBWOqBK3P5OhxmKiyEypbFXDS90Rsz-HPV9yvA1l4hLtrecjlEJByOclTeqKh1ssY6tOMH4HHVfW6XKaAHxfRmf53LgeKekCcVKq9LqguXs5hjQk_ocnh-ujx_wN20/s1600/ZAINA.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Namutumba District Technical Planning Committee had only one woman representative, before the ACFODE training in September 2012. After learning about the need for greater representation of women public administrators in decision making positions, we as the Namutumba District Women Administrators Forum encouraged more women to apply for positions, when vacancies became available. As a result, 3 more members of the forum applied and were accepted into the district planning committee.</div>
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In addition, due to the increased representation of the forum on the committee, we have been able to advocate for women to be given special consideration for promotions. Some members of the forum have been promoted at the District due to this effort, they include;</div>
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Ms. Rose Kagere- Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO).</div>
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Ms. Esther Nandase- Senior Probation Officer.</div>
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Zainabu Kagoya- Senior Personnel Officer</div>
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<b>COMPILED BY:</b></div>
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<b>NANCY NANDUDU</b></div>
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<b>PUBLICE RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER</b></div>
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<b>ACTION FOR DEVELOPMENT</b></div>
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Log on to our <a href="http://www.acfode.org/">website</a> to read more about ACFODE's work. Also like us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ACFODE?ref=hl">Facebook </a>to view pictorials and get instant updates on ACFODE events regularly</div>
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Follow us on Twitter: @acfode.</div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-81726396247741548082013-08-01T05:13:00.000-07:002013-08-01T05:13:23.883-07:00ACFODE Convenes Women Politicians in a National Experience Sharing Dialogue on Affirmative Action<div style="text-align: justify;">
ACFODE, under the project “Empowered to Act: Enhancing Women and Youth Effective Participation in Politics and Decision Making” partnered with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) to conduct a one-day national Experience Sharing Dialogue for female leaders under the theme: “Is the time up for affirmative action for Ugandan women in politics?” (Reflecting and Strategizing for 2016) on 25th July 2013. The dialogue brought together 70 female councilors from Apac, Pader, Oyam, Lira, Pallisa, Kampala, Rukungiri, Kisoro, Kiboga and Kole, representatives from the academia, civil society, ACFODE members and relevant government ministries to reflect on affirmative action in Uganda, share experiences and develop strategies for enhancing women’s effective participation in the 2016 elections. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>The Woman MP for Apac district Hon. Ajok Lucy contributing </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>to a discussion during the dialogue</b></span></div>
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Through interactive sessions covering public perceptions of affirmative action and the effective utilization of affirmative action, the dialogue provided a platform for women politicians to celebrate the positive impact of affirmative action in Uganda's politics. In a session facilitated by Hon. Emma Boona, the woman MP for Mbarara, the officials recognized the key role of affirmative action in creating a conducive environment for the enactment of several gender sensitive laws such as the Domestic violence Act, Trafficking in Person’s Act and Female Genital Mutilation Act. They also credited the increased advocacy for funding to pertinent sectors such as the health sector to the increased number of female politicians in power as a result of affirmative action. </div>
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However, a number of challenges were noted in the process of implementing affirmative action, which were cited as critical matters of engagement with relevant stakeholders in order to map a way forward. Of note was the fact that despite possessing the minimum requirements for entry into parliament, many women politicians lack essential skills in effective lobbying and advocacy and are therefore largely unable to yield positive results after debating on pertinent women’s issues. In addition, the existing patriarchal societal values exhibited in parliament, which position women beneath men have slowed down the effectiveness of the women leaders' mandate.</div>
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As a result of elaborate discussions on the subject, the women leaders were able to utilize the dialogue space as an avenue to strategize on the next step for women politicians in preparation for the elections in 2016. One of the key principles identified was unity of women in leadership behind a common goal, an ideal which was supported as a major factor in empowering women leaders at both local and national levels to develop a strong, uncontestable agenda to front for the women's movement in the coming years. The Leaders also agreed to prioritize capacity enhancement for women in leadership in crucial areas such as advocacy, lobby, public speaking and research skills, among other skills.</div>
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ACFODE therefore calls upon all Ugandan citizens to support women in political leadership. We call upon all male members of parliament to support the advancement of and the debate of critical issues affecting women. We also call upon religious and cultural leaders to institute better mechanisms for promoting the dignity of women. We also call on Civil Society Organizations to build the capacities of women MPs and young aspiring women leaders in areas of lobbying, and research in order to strengthen their effectiveness. We call on all Ugandan citizens to support women in leadership.</div>
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<b>Compiled by</b></div>
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<b>Nancy Nandudu</b></div>
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<b>Public Relations and Communications Department</b></div>
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<b>Action For Development</b></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-66040179409269984052013-08-01T04:59:00.000-07:002013-08-01T04:59:39.012-07:00ACFODE Engages Local Female Leaders for Quality Representation<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTnDEGjtgVB6nNyecLaKmEhwSNqrm24Ww1F73SX3pVDuFYSwO6Vlu4cxFAAldPq79-Y55knvY9_Ymo1QqIkPZ1sZkdaK86EFq98Bplnwv3etsiR1SLEcGCUJ-vh9S8N7hIF5w_zHR0_M/s1600/flow+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTnDEGjtgVB6nNyecLaKmEhwSNqrm24Ww1F73SX3pVDuFYSwO6Vlu4cxFAAldPq79-Y55knvY9_Ymo1QqIkPZ1sZkdaK86EFq98Bplnwv3etsiR1SLEcGCUJ-vh9S8N7hIF5w_zHR0_M/s320/flow+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Women Councillors from Namutumba District sharing the process of women </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">leader's involvement in the management of the district</span></b></div>
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Irrefutably, women in Uganda today have become more visible in politics and governance largely due to the onset of affirmative action. However, this increased visibility that is manifest in the growing number of female leaders at both local and national level is yet to translate into effective representation in the different fora, which they represent. This can partly be attributed to the knowledge and skills gap existent among the women leaders, who are undoubtedly faced with several other challenges that negatively affect their productivity.</div>
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In this regard, ACFODE conducted training workshops for local women councillors from the districts of Pader, Dokolo and Namutumba in a bid to improve and enhance their leadership capabilities. The workshops, which were conducted under the project “Building and Amplifying Women’s Voices in Economic and Political Development” brought together 60 local female leaders from selected sub-counties in the three target districts from 22nd to 27th July 2013.</div>
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The women councillors were equipped with knowledge and skills in Lobbying and Advocacy, Budgeting, Caucusing and Monitoring and Evaluation. The forums provided a platform for experience sharing on the various processes of budgeting and monitoring of government programmes in their respective districts, and also enabled them to share best practices while undertaking lobby and advocacy initiatives.</div>
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The bulk of experiences shared from the three districts clearly highlighted flaws in the system of governance and capacity development, which if left unaddressed shall continue to hinder the effectiveness of women's political participation. Of note was the minimal involvement of the women leaders in all decision making processes, as well as limited skills among the leaders, for instance in management and lobbying.</div>
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By the end of the two days training, six (6) women caucuses had been formed, two (2) in each of the project districts of operation. The leaders pledged to use the caucuses as forums for raising, discussing and lobbying for key pressing community issues. One of the councillors from Namutumba district had this to say of the training <b><i>“I now fully understand the budgeting process; formerly the technical wing hasn’t involved us women leaders in this process but with the knowledge I have gained about the budgeting process coupled with the skills in lobbying and advocacy, I can firmly say my representation is going to change.”</i></b></div>
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<b><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Compiled by:</b></div>
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<b>Nancy Nandudu</b></div>
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<b>Public Relations and Communications Officer</b></div>
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<b>Action For Development (ACFODE)</b></div>
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ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-50756532104683527892013-06-27T07:11:00.001-07:002013-06-27T07:11:34.528-07:00ACFODE Empowers GBV Clubs in Secondary Schools Take the Lead in the Prevention and Handling of GBV cases.<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Under the project "Advocating
for Gender and Reproductive Rights", ACFODE with support from UNFPA and
UWONET facilitated the development of 32 Gender Based Violence (GBV) clubs in
selected schools throughout the districts of Moroto, Yumbe, Kotido, Kaabong,
Kanungu, Oyam, Katakwi and Mubende. The main objective of these clubs was to
aid in </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">increasing students
and school administrators access to quality GBV management services.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgXe_qUOgkwGlP0ryyeOilU7gitqp8SZd5e82dW-iHzeGpY2hXRCLKr7c9UpblrR9LHFYo0P7g46GaAAISu0nQfGZYKuJMPAoNQYH_yX0f9juvB2jUQ3l-EwveQNvyXunzooj8QIo9P4/s1600/web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgXe_qUOgkwGlP0ryyeOilU7gitqp8SZd5e82dW-iHzeGpY2hXRCLKr7c9UpblrR9LHFYo0P7g46GaAAISu0nQfGZYKuJMPAoNQYH_yX0f9juvB2jUQ3l-EwveQNvyXunzooj8QIo9P4/s320/web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Members of the GBV club in Katakwi High School performing<br /> a skit they composed called "Daddy Stop Beating Mummy"</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Over time, the GBV clubs in each of the schools have
carried out successful advocacy drives throughout their campuses, effectively
changing attitudes about GBV and gender equality amongst both the peers as well
as the various school administrations. Through experience sharing/training
workshops held in the various districts and schools from 3</span><sup style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-20</span><sup style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,
the full positive impact of the clubs on the schools and communities were realised.
Some of the positive outcomes include;</span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Growing
influence of GBV clubs in persuading school administrators to carry out
their roles and responsibilities in the fight against GBV.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Open sharing of SGBV cases and referral
pathways during GBV club meetings have reduced the rate of teacher-student
abuse cases for fear of redress by the clubs.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The distribution of posters, fliers and other
Behavioral Change (BCC) materials has raised awareness among GBV club
members to persistently and effectively raise their voices against GBV in their
schools and communities.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The open sharing structure of the GBV clubs
has enabled the students address real issues affecting them as well as the
negative impact of GBV including contraction of HIV/AIDS, and dropping out
of school, thus promoting a culture of self preservation.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">GBV clubs have advocated successfully for the
introduction of Counseling and guidance services in their schools to aid
in redress of GBV cases.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Some </span><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">GBV clubs have
partnered with other school clubs, such as Debate clubs, Red Cross and
Music Dance and Drama clubs to raise awareness on GBV more effectively.</span><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compiled
by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nancy
Nandudu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Public
Relations and Communications Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Action
For Development</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-63104094820507339782013-06-27T07:05:00.000-07:002013-06-27T07:05:24.060-07:00ACFODE Facilitates the Formation of Favourable School Policies to Promote a Conducive Learning Environment for School Girls in Kisoro District<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ACFODE with support from EIRENE and BMZ conducted
trainings on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in 21 schools in Kirundo
and Nyarusiza Sub-Counties of Kisoro district from 18</span><sup style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> to 21</span><sup style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">st</sup><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
June 2013. The trainings, which were attended by 42 selected primary school
teachers and two nursing officers from Kisoro District Hospital, aimed to equip
the crucial gate keepers of societal change with skills in prevention and
handling of cases of SGBV. From Senior Women and Men teachers and patrons of
school clubs like music, dance and drama or debate to medical attendants, the
interactive sessions reached varied target groups with resourceful information
on sexual violence, basic child counselling skills and peer education
programmes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgGeuAchZwf4p3NZ4vVwDK4dY1RZk1IaRFZGc4x2LW8kr4TM7kRxoD_bnqLeXGOEQwrgXN2MzMzg4aqCcuyvMzozzC6rlEFcsLsO3DEMwqPbfg_r27TZto6GoQ5Pm2qKQALilw4u5WAw/s1600/P1090194+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgGeuAchZwf4p3NZ4vVwDK4dY1RZk1IaRFZGc4x2LW8kr4TM7kRxoD_bnqLeXGOEQwrgXN2MzMzg4aqCcuyvMzozzC6rlEFcsLsO3DEMwqPbfg_r27TZto6GoQ5Pm2qKQALilw4u5WAw/s320/P1090194+web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>Teachers from one of the participating schools formulating <br />action plans to handle SGBV </b></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Participants benefitted from group discussions,
through which various roadblocks to erasing SGBV in schools were identified,
such as; sexual favours in reward for marks from teachers, parental negligence,
poverty, adolescence, and ignorance. The teachers, who alleged that the high
school dropout rates were majorly caused by sexual violence, also learned how
to offer psychological support to survivors of sexual violence acts who suffer
the brunt of STDs, early pregnancies, teasing, name calling from peers and
community members, among others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In an effort to strengthen the cohesiveness of the
project, the participants were introduced to the Community Facilitators of
ACFODE's Combating all forms of Defilement, Rape and Sexual Harassment
(CODERASH) committees in the area. These committees comprised of community
members that were trained by ACFODE on prevention and handling of SGBV cases
have been critical in sustaining the project impact at local levels through
awareness creation and the strengthening of referral pathways in the fight
against SGBV. The committees' efforts were appreciated through the awarding of
t-shirts and badges, and they were encouraged to mentor and support the
training participants in the effective implementation of their school advocacy activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As a result of the training sessions, the participants
were able to develop action plans, which included initiatives such as;
establishing and/or strengthening the efficiency of school disciplinary
committees, creating help desks to facilitate the reporting of violence cases, utilization
of official occasions such as school assemblies and PTA meetings to sensitize
teachers, students and parents about SGBV and introduction of peer to peer
education programmes, among others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Compiled by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Nancy Nandudu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Public Relations and
Communication Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Action For Development<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-32246098799577255722013-06-27T06:59:00.003-07:002013-06-27T06:59:52.109-07:00ACFODE Facilitates the Formation of Women Farmers Food Security Groups to Tackle Household Food Insecurity<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Women
and farming are two words that have over the years become synonymous because
women have made significant contributions to the agricultural sector in Uganda.
It is unfortunate that despite their considerable contributions, they still suffer
the biggest impact and burden of household food insecurity. Mothers often watch
helplessly as their children suffer or even die of preventable plagues such as malnutrition
and starvation. Food insecurity has also contributed to high levels of domestic
violence in homes as couples struggle to meet all household needs, including
food, on meagre resources.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0no-HX6T1exjod_RKCcaMU6Dhdyv1WiEaB8iytwW-_F6luakJCppuZdFuebMOegiKX9anLVUJ7XYbu1EvZlcY3UA0iW66g3yng8KFSlL8KMOwml_Ym5hPyQWsnc5AFtUHPyb1vSCNRY/s1600/website+namutu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0no-HX6T1exjod_RKCcaMU6Dhdyv1WiEaB8iytwW-_F6luakJCppuZdFuebMOegiKX9anLVUJ7XYbu1EvZlcY3UA0iW66g3yng8KFSlL8KMOwml_Ym5hPyQWsnc5AFtUHPyb1vSCNRY/s320/website+namutu.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Participants discussing the obstacles to the full attainment <br />of food security in their communities</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It
was out of this pertinent concern that ACFODE under the project </span><i style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Building and Amplifying Women’s Voices in
Economic and Political Development</i><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> undertook trainings on farmer group
formation for women farmers from the districts of Dokolo, Pader and Namutumba
from 17</span><sup style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> to 21</span><sup style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">st</sup><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> June. The objective of the group
formation is to accelerate the process of the women farmers accessing
government programmes, since extension services such as NAADS are mostly made
readily available to farmer groups. Similarly, the women farmers can benefit
from other networks like District Farmers associations, Non- Governmental Organisations
and development partners whose emphasis is agriculture and food security.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Through
these avenues, advisory extension services or inputs may be availed to the
farmers in order to add value to their produce, thus facilitating the creation
of food secure households and reducing on the number of children and women who
die from malnutrition and starvation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
training created a platform for the women farmers to identify the obstacles to
their attainment of adequate food all year round, such as; limited access to
and ownership of land and other related factors of production, male domination
of decision making and marketing processes, loss of soil fertility leading to
low production, poor seeds, lack of storage facilities, crop pests and animal
diseases, and change in weather, among others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
women also learned the benefits of working in groups, including; better
audibility due to a collective voice, cost efficiency in delivery of services,
enhanced experiential learning and increased bargaining power. As a result, 18
women farmers food security groups were formed, with 6 for each district. ACFODE
through the project will facilitate the groups to register with the relevant
authorities within their districts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compiled by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nancy Nandudu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Public Relations and Communications Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Action For Development<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-61828605093696558212013-06-27T06:53:00.002-07:002013-06-27T06:53:52.019-07:00ACFODE Conducts a Regional Training Workshop for CSO Actors in Lira District<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From the 4<sup>th</sup> to
6<sup>th</sup> of June, ACFODE with support from Diakonia conducted a training
workshop on good governance and gender accountability for civil society actors
in Lira district, with the aim of sharpening their skills in advocacy and
engagement of communities in demanding for their rights. The training, which
was a follow up of the Training of Trainers (ToTs) held in 2012 brought together members of the civil
society from Apac, Kole and Oyam districts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The workshop was opened by
the Speaker of Oyam district, who emphasized the need for better collaboration
between civil society actors and local leaders in the struggle for attainment
of rights. He also urged the participants to include interventions with
cultural leaders into their activities in order for them to be more effective
in their communities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In an effort to gauge the
progress of the participants in their activities, they were given an
opportunity to share the issues that emerged in the process of conducting the civic
education training sessions in the communities. Several positive issues were
highlighted including increased </span><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">community awareness of their roles as the electorate and improved
community ability to identify human rights and governance gaps in their midst. On the other hand, some negative issues emerged such as, </span><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">gender
disparities in property ownership and poor health services, among others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM3YJntRRKMlnwWG7CZ32unFvs78PqXQYhfqIQDWUq-l51da4LF1VnofoZ62GTjGY-qOjuqm5lt61B1mVgSvJKjCsN8ViDCzq3QAzM3qJu6UMsEwSsXaox1Zl4Y0jBVpTXtjQWQ4cxrU/s1600/cso+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM3YJntRRKMlnwWG7CZ32unFvs78PqXQYhfqIQDWUq-l51da4LF1VnofoZ62GTjGY-qOjuqm5lt61B1mVgSvJKjCsN8ViDCzq3QAzM3qJu6UMsEwSsXaox1Zl4Y0jBVpTXtjQWQ4cxrU/s320/cso+web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Participants from Apac outlining the emerging issues from<br /> their community civic education training sessions</span></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The two day training
therefore provided sessions on effective advocacy and resource mobilization,
which enabled the participants to better identify the pertinent advocacy issues
in their communities that require redress. Some of the issues that were
highlighted included; GBV, high school drop-out rates and limited integration of
good governance and gender accountability in local government planning
processes. </span><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The participants were also
equipped with skills in both on and offline methods of effective resource
mobilization. In addition, they benefitted from the experiences and best
practices shared by Mr. Francis Ogema, a Community Monitor
with </span><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">7 years experience of supporting communities in
activism and monitoring government programs. He cautioned the participants on possible
intimidation in their work, advising them to work with the local leaders
to minimize misunderstandings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a result of the rich
sessions, the participants were able to draw SMART action plans for their
interventions, which outlined the outstanding advocacy issues in their
communities, their resource mobilization plans as well as clear indicators of
success. The renewed focus and direction of their action plans, equipped each participant with the necessary tools to carry out the tasks </span><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ahead of them with efficiency.
</span><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compiled
by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nancy
Nandudu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Public
Relations and Communications Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Action
For Development<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-53617458150733222142013-06-27T06:14:00.000-07:002013-06-27T06:14:33.193-07:00ACFODE Monitoring Activity Reveals Increased Citizen Ability to Hold Leaders Accountable in Lango Sub Region<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In a bid to assess the
impact realized by the activities of one of its projects titled “Promoting Good
Governance and Gender Accountability at Local Government Level”, ACFODE conducted
a monitoring visit in the Lango sub region between 20<sup>th</sup>-22<sup>nd</sup>
may 2013. The exercise covered the
project districts of Apac, Oyam and Kole and engagements were held with</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> district leaders, civil society actors and community
members.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyHsnYNK6kbdFBeiZYV3ief3quapuLHIWALBEKuO8XZFye5IzBO8UnyTT4Dk9Cg_SGc8pRc1G3OvLMme5Y4E6GLct65pA7eugZvo7r0mOLjRrsjlDaajN1XsTguEychJgSNRJySvmCZU/s1600/web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyHsnYNK6kbdFBeiZYV3ief3quapuLHIWALBEKuO8XZFye5IzBO8UnyTT4Dk9Cg_SGc8pRc1G3OvLMme5Y4E6GLct65pA7eugZvo7r0mOLjRrsjlDaajN1XsTguEychJgSNRJySvmCZU/s320/web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A community member from Oyam sharing the benefits of the<br /> civic education trainings in Ngai subcounty Kula Kula Parish</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The three year project
that kicked off in June 2011 aims at contributing towards the realization of increased
knowledge and awareness among elected leaders at local government level of
their roles and responsibilities as well gender accountability issues; enhanced
capacity of civil society actors to advocate for good governance and gender
accountability at local government level and conduct grassroots civic
education; and improved mechanisms of increasing national and local awareness
and commitment to principles of good governance and gender accountability in
society.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">ACFODE has successfully conducted a number of
activities under the project, including; Train</span><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">ing of
District Councilors on their roles and responsibilities in promoting good
governance and gender accountability, Training of Trainers (TOTs) for civil
society actors, review meetings with District Councilors and Technical
Personnel as well as refresher trainings for CSO actors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As a result of
these interventions, a number of positive outcomes have been realized. These
include; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Increased
knowledge of roles and responsibilities among elected leaders and
community members.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Increase
in communities' demand for accountability from district leaders.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Increased
female representation in District Council Committees.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Increased
participation of female Councilors during council sessions.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Increased
access to government development programs by community members.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">According to Mr. Akwang
Nicholas the Apac Community Development Officer (CDO),<i> “As someone on the ground, when the project started the main issue was
increased women representation and lack of awareness by local leaders of their
roles and responsibilities to society. Women Councilors did not take up top
places of leadership but after the training, they agreed to elect a new chair
person who is a woman, and currently all the 4 chair persons of the council are
female. One of them is also a youth. “It is now evident that leaders are aware
of their roles since the meeting with ACFODE occurred.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a sign of approval of
the ACFODE interventions, the stakeholders including civil society actors,
community members and leaders in Apac district vowed to extend the work of promoting
good governance and gender accountability to sub counties within the region that
ACFODE is yet to reach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compiled
by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nancy
Nandudu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Public
Relations and Communications Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Action
For Development<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-83117953782234252932013-05-24T06:46:00.001-07:002013-05-24T06:46:22.685-07:00ACFODE Conducts Regional Training Workshops for District Women Councilors<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With the existing
need to progress away from increased numbers of women in political leadership to
their enhanced participation, Action For Development (ACFODE) in partnership
with the Women’s Democracy Group (WDG) conducted two regional trainings in Lira
and Rukungiri districts for district women councilors from the 13<sup>th</sup>-15<sup>th
</sup>of May 2013. WDG is a consortium of five women organizations which
include Uganda Women's Network (UWONET), ACFODE, Women’s
Democracy Network (WDN) - Uganda Chapter, Forum for Women in Democracy
(FOWODE), and Center for Women in Governance (CEWIGO). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9m7B_lmo665maYICWvIwEN8mZg0NbjUrpBPmOcx7f16FGOdHNxU8BqF8UnPpXDzryntP-cN1E5Qbmw-t27tjQ8hqaWOCm8h0yy3gLlRXw39pq7AD7hKOtYg2UJ9zPiLwnRkWg0-FzR4/s1600/new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9m7B_lmo665maYICWvIwEN8mZg0NbjUrpBPmOcx7f16FGOdHNxU8BqF8UnPpXDzryntP-cN1E5Qbmw-t27tjQ8hqaWOCm8h0yy3gLlRXw39pq7AD7hKOtYg2UJ9zPiLwnRkWg0-FzR4/s320/new.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> An interactive session during the training workshop in Lira District</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The trainings, which were conducted in Lira and Rukungiri districts
brought together 74 district women councilors from Amolatar, Dokolo, Lira, Oyam,
Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kanungu. The aim of the exercises were to increase the skill sets
and knowledge base of the female leaders to effectively engage in council and
influence decision making processes. They also sought to empower the officials
to form caucuses for the advancement of women issues in local councils to
enhance gender responsiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Accordingly, during
the trainings, participants were taken through topics on gender and gender responsive budgeting, lobbying, advocacy and
networking, monitoring and evaluation of government programmes, e-communication
with an emphasis on usage of bulk SMS to communicate with the electorate, Legal frameworks
for affirmative action, caucusing and the rules of procedure in council. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The topics of engagements were based on a rapid assessment carried out
by WDG in December 2012 which indicated that many local women leaders were
challenged with inferiority
complexes, which were rated at 100%; lack of advocacy
and lobbying skills, which scored 94%; poor planning and
budgeting skills and lack of knowledge on government policies, which claimed a
score of 79% and ignorance of their roles and responsibilities which
came in at 74%. Other skills gap established included: poor public
speaking ability, limited skills in gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting, unawareness
of the correct way of making ordinances, as well as inaccessibility of modern
research and new tools of information to enhance their contribution to decision
making.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyD_Z6QtD54jbqtZjRhl_Z5SLbHKRY2VsdzN-5pNxrMoPz_7_qwGB8tF79YhktKApsGmC6RYycF9cth7ceWCFMKi9bIlvE0_SnrC5dkpASwabJbYylykeLFoONIRtjIOjVmFnAudBc30/s1600/update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyD_Z6QtD54jbqtZjRhl_Z5SLbHKRY2VsdzN-5pNxrMoPz_7_qwGB8tF79YhktKApsGmC6RYycF9cth7ceWCFMKi9bIlvE0_SnrC5dkpASwabJbYylykeLFoONIRtjIOjVmFnAudBc30/s320/update.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">A cross section of Women councilors during the workshop in Rukungiri district</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The training resulted in the
formation of seven district women caucuses, which were representative of the participating
districts. The caucuses were formed uniquely on the basis of advocacy issues
that affect majority of the communities they represent, rather than on the
basis of political party affiliations. The groups were able to make immediate
progress in their varied capacities by developing advocacy strategies on urgent
issues that need redress, thus drawing closer to achieving remarkable
milestones in their respective communities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The women councilors appreciated the three-day
engagement as a timely intervention which equipped them with tools for better
leadership and replication of knowledge and skills gained. One of such
councilors remarked “<i><span lang="EN-GB">We cannot take this training for granted; We</span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB">appreciate the quality
training and indeed it has helped a lot and we expect to perform better in
undertaking our roles as women councillors.’’ <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Compiled by:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Nancy Nandudu<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Public Relations
and Communications Officer<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Action For
Development<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-5001920601243170572013-04-26T06:19:00.000-07:002013-04-26T06:19:34.620-07:00ACFODE Launches a New Project to Promote Positive Socio-Cultural Practices in Apac District<br />
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ACFODE, with support from the Swedish Cooperative Centre (SCC) a </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">non-profit
organisation that offers support to self-help development initiatives,
cooperatives, farmers' organisations and informal groups in developing
countries,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> has rolled out a project titled “Strengthening
Formal and Informal Institutions to Promote Gender Responsive Social Cultures in
Uganda.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5IXjAmpyRpGCvZmNL8-QExRB1JrBgnu4Z-BmP31t3bNIe91CNvjLjUrIYNMp-Doyqoi_1H0fULUWZkfnLBoZe_oJElqq5Hd0BDAyeJtL0bdBnst4Zz6NvQwFuAzuJt9J8TCoaYE5acM/s1600/civic+participation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5IXjAmpyRpGCvZmNL8-QExRB1JrBgnu4Z-BmP31t3bNIe91CNvjLjUrIYNMp-Doyqoi_1H0fULUWZkfnLBoZe_oJElqq5Hd0BDAyeJtL0bdBnst4Zz6NvQwFuAzuJt9J8TCoaYE5acM/s320/civic+participation.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
one-year pilot project, which will be conducted in Apac district in northern
Uganda, will seek to engage leaders from both formal and informal institutions
as well as communities in the promotion, establishment and application of
gender responsive social cultural practices which facilitate gender equality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite
the fact that Uganda has made significant progress in eliminating
discrimination against women and girls through the enactment of gender
sensitive laws such as; the constitution, the Domestic Violence Act and the
Child Protection Act, as well as the ratification of international protocols like
the Maputo Protocol, CEDAW and ICGLR, the vice largely continues to persist. Coupled
with a general lack of awareness among duty bearers about the related laws as
well as the absence of effective mechanisms for the enforcement of such laws,
their effective enforcement within communities remains a challenge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
new project will therefore employ a fresh perspective on the intervention,
which will focus on highlighting the importance of boys and men as champions in
the elimination of negative socio-cultural practices which promote violence
against women. The premise of the project's focus is the fact that a balanced
society is one in which both male and female actors are aware of each other's
worth and equally respect each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Working
alongside partners in the east African community, that is, GROOTS and Men for
Gender Equality Now (MENGEN) in Kenya and Tanzania women lawyers association
(TAWLA) in Tanzania, the project will utilize innovative methods of
intervention with the different stakeholders in the communities in Apac
district. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ACFODE
therefore calls upon all citizens of Uganda to work together in order to
achieve a society where male champions for gender equality can successfully lead
the way in the development of a national movement that appreciates the
capacities, potential and rights of women and girls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compiled by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nancy Nandudu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Public Relations and Communications Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Action For Development (ACFODE)</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-63818841010296597662013-04-06T12:04:00.000-07:002013-04-06T12:04:30.953-07:00ACFODE Intra University Debates Move to South Western Uganda<br />
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<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In its campaign to empower
young people with skills in discussing topical issues on good governance and
democracy, ACFODE in partnership with Konrad Adaneur Stiftung (KAS) conducted
intra university debate competitions in Kabale University. The two-day
activities that aimed to select a representative for the western region at the
national inter university debate championships in Kampala kicked off with a debate
training workshop for the students on April 6</span><sup style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> 2013.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LXvcZ42OWtZnTMvAFYt1y2Lsd2g69Hf7abEtuyFkIartykdbvNJSH3lTQKgPnqnc0qRIpAHJfu1DXS-_pohd5i6XiGETzK_-fWshvYHXqA2jtwBvONUHGPCDDWXEE6R69QrAa0yGaZ0/s1600/debate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LXvcZ42OWtZnTMvAFYt1y2Lsd2g69Hf7abEtuyFkIartykdbvNJSH3lTQKgPnqnc0qRIpAHJfu1DXS-_pohd5i6XiGETzK_-fWshvYHXqA2jtwBvONUHGPCDDWXEE6R69QrAa0yGaZ0/s320/debate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Under the theme,
"Youth Spearheading gender equality and good governance in Uganda,"
the training workshop targeted students from various faculties, including; Arts,
Social Sciences and Education with lessons in gender and gender roles, emphasizing
the need for promotion of equity for the sake of sustainable gender equality. Professor
Aggrey Yesigomwe from the department of Development Studies at Kabale University,
who led the participatory session, remarked on the ideal type of gender
equality that women strive for, in an effort to differentiate between gender
equality and equity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The training session on good
governance and democracy, which preceded an introduction to the British
Parliamentary debate format, focused on developing the students' awareness of
the concepts of human rights, privileges and obligations of stakeholders in the
practice of democracy and the consequential achievement of good methods of
governance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some of the contentious
questions raised during these highly participatory sessions included matters of
discriminative gender roles, the misuse of affirmative action for women as well
as the rising marginalization of men in gender discussions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The workshop was crowned
with a trial debate in which the students utilized their newly learned skills
in the British Parliamentary format of debate to argue the motion, "This
house would abolish the women's seat in parliament." The mock debates were
held in preparation for debate competitions, to be held on 7<sup>th</sup>
April. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compiled by:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nancy
Nandudu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Public
Relations and Communications Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Action
For Development<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-72819197084448989502013-03-22T07:27:00.002-07:002013-03-22T07:27:43.980-07:00Acfode Strengthens The Capacity Of Kisoro District Stakeholders In The Fight Against Sexualized Violence <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ACFODE with support from EIRENE carried out an
annual self assessment workshop and process monitoring session in Kisoro
district from March 18<sup>th</sup> to 21<sup>st</sup> 2013 with the aim of
strengthening its project on the prevention of sexualized violence against
women and girls in Kisoro district. The project is being implemented in
Nyarusiza, Nyakabande, Busanza and Kirundo subcounties of Kisoro district.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC12ZPJ1qRQn4jigeVBZSpRxYefKSIdgXDRTXcs-DwGegyzf_AVkfeoPYZFD2M6UqZCOUM1sTqTOgwVTYSo44k_7Wen6jeEDZgHW0NDe_l9jVLvh8RkHUrHkNiqMD3xeDEUTFpp3MOpjA/s1600/cf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC12ZPJ1qRQn4jigeVBZSpRxYefKSIdgXDRTXcs-DwGegyzf_AVkfeoPYZFD2M6UqZCOUM1sTqTOgwVTYSo44k_7Wen6jeEDZgHW0NDe_l9jVLvh8RkHUrHkNiqMD3xeDEUTFpp3MOpjA/s320/cf2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The one day workshop, which was part of the
monitoring framework to ensure sustainability and build strong networks in the
district saw 60 stakeholders in the district come together and deliberate on sexual
violence issues and how the project procedure can be improved in the district. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The proceedings generated feedback from
stakeholders in the community project. For instance, the Asst. Chief Administrative
Officer (CAO) Ms Rita Byirinbiro expressed gratitude for ACFODE's project interventions,
stressing the need for other actors to unite and play their roles so as to
ensure the project is a success. It was also noted that ACFODE is one of the
longest serving partners in the district and has therefore been responsible for
a large percentage of the current political, social and economic change in the
area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The District Community Liason Officer Mr. Ben
Wenamanya highlighted the availability of free counseling services for victims
of sexual violence available through the ACFODE offices, as well as easily
accessible referral system for reporting sexual violence cases via the ACFODE
Community Facilitators (CFs). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In addition, the Sub County Chief of Nyakabande emphasized
the support of several re;event Community Based Organizations through ACFODE's
work. For instance, Kichwumbi Community Development Association, which supports
young girls to become economically independent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The positive impact of the Combating Defilement,
Rape and Sexual Harassment (CODERASH) committees was also affirmed through
visits to the local communities, which were more aware of sexual violence
through their regular dialogues and interaction with the ACFODE CFs, who are
also part of the local communities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A total number of 120 CFs have been trained in the
four sub counties and, with support from the ACFODE field office, they are able
to sensitize communities on sexual violence, reproductive health and economic
empowerment and also refer Gender Based Violence cases to relevant authorities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The communication channels used in dissemination of
ACFODE information were also monitored in order to determine their impact and
relevance in the project implementation. With only two local radio stations;
Kisoro FM and Voice of Muhabura FM, ACFODE's sensitization messages on sexual
violence in communities have been largely welcomed, which was evidenced by the
fact that 4 people out of 10 in any given community have listened to these talk
shows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Overall, local authorities, including the district
LCV Chair Person pledged to offer more support to ACFODE to ensure that the
marked reduction in sexual violence in the district since the beginning of the
project continues. This has been a big milestone for ACFODE as an organization
in the district, in regard to the fight against sexual violence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Compiled
by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Andrew
Ssekirevu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Programme
Assistant<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gender and
Economic Policy Department<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Action For
Development<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-26343423457184327502013-02-23T10:51:00.000-08:002013-02-23T10:51:12.925-08:00 Mock Debate Session Starts off Gulu Intra-University Debate Competitions<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Gulu university intra-university
debate competitions kicked off in high gear on 23</span><sup style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> February with a
mock debate between the different faculties. The mock debate was preceded by a
debate training session in which students were introduced to concepts of
gender, good governance and the British parliamentary debate system. The four
sessions aimed to equip the young men and women with deeper understanding of
gender equality and good governance, while providing them with a forum in which
to discuss their understanding of the concepts amongst their peers with
eloquent, cohesive arguments.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAR7psU5FJQssLEhBScbS0_jYgX6szcDaEkZVtT8CyucffHCSNFtmh0EbVi1cSG-iVS74YafD4rzzMZ4gW6tYiH3HVT9DPS4EIqxzPLT0yAoBqaR9-J_nrpsfR8hYibABHeErKkdEni0/s1600/debate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAR7psU5FJQssLEhBScbS0_jYgX6szcDaEkZVtT8CyucffHCSNFtmh0EbVi1cSG-iVS74YafD4rzzMZ4gW6tYiH3HVT9DPS4EIqxzPLT0yAoBqaR9-J_nrpsfR8hYibABHeErKkdEni0/s1600/debate.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students exchanging views during the mock debate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As a result of the
sessions, the students were inspired to think outside the box concerning gender,
with a number of critical questions being raised in that regard. </span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Interest was particularly piqued in regard to
the extent of the effects of a patriarchal society on gender equality, with
some questioning the agenda of the women's movement in eroding some protective
mechanisms that are enshrined in a patriarchal system allegedly to protect
women. For instance, exclusion from direct armed combat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">According to one
student, the discussion was an eye opener for her. She sad, "It's up to us
to take the responsibility to recognize that because society has been
conducting things one way, it doesn't have to be the same forever, it is up to us
to accept it and change ourselves before we can be able to inspire other people
in the communities to change."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Challenged to go
head-to-head in a mock debate, students from eight departments formed four
opposing teams to argue the motion: "This house would abolish the woman
seat in parliament." The rich debate widened the students' scope of
understanding in regard to gender, and boosted their confidence for the final
qualifier competitions to be held on 24<sup>th</sup> February. The four winning
teams will represent Gulu University at the 2013 ACFODE Inter University Debates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For more updates on
the Gulu intra university debates, as well as a pictorial of the on-going
events, click here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You can also follow
the debate proceedings on our website at: <a href="http://www.acfode.org/">www.acfode.org</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compiled
by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nancy
Nandudu<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Public
Relations and Communications Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Action
For Development (ACFODE)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-71677004034241237922013-02-07T06:44:00.002-08:002013-02-07T23:02:08.023-08:00ACFODE Strengthens Her Campaign to End Sexualized Violence in Kisoro<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ACFODE with support
from EIRENE successfully introduced the newly amended police forms (3, 3A and
24A) as well as a streamlined system of SGBV case documentation in Kisoro
district. This occurred from the 28<sup>th</sup>-31<sup>st</sup> January 2013 during
training sessions for newly commissioned community facilitators held in Kirundo
and Nyarusiza sub counties, which have recently been added to the
organization's target area in their campaign to end Sexualized Gender Based
Violence (SGBV). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNjnOAXB_MSiXxZQoueFj17W9F2C6nUn2SHtSJo9u2zE03LIrTcwtIlxIvvbDtfrCQR-EtnizJh5kCq1ewi82i72oWt14Ie7xjI_WhpCbQ1EgsAfAEQNJaly1Fi1VHgMihJ4cqJCFxd8/s1600/Hope+for.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNjnOAXB_MSiXxZQoueFj17W9F2C6nUn2SHtSJo9u2zE03LIrTcwtIlxIvvbDtfrCQR-EtnizJh5kCq1ewi82i72oWt14Ie7xjI_WhpCbQ1EgsAfAEQNJaly1Fi1VHgMihJ4cqJCFxd8/s1600/Hope+for.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Hope Turyasingura, an ACFODE member explaining the </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>amended police form to the participants </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The new strategy will see
community facilitators use simple, exhaustive "Case Management Forms"
to effectively capture and update cases of sexualized violence within their
communities of influence. This move is aimed at partnering with local authorities'
to boost their recording systems and ensure more effective monitoring and
resolution of the incidence of SGBV in the district, which will better inform
and increase the effectiveness of future advocacy campaigns against SGBV in the
area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The trainings attracted
60 community facilitators and other stakeholders such as law enforcement
officers, health workers and local political figures and featured trainings in
the areas of SGBV, human rights and forms of justice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQhwyQmAsYrN-tVe0I50k6RiiDBSmuSfTyaiB1pqIxai6grXA3rOeBORcng6ffXKmltOK2q3SweFzYpEwQctPT7gzVGPb0EHa4zxR5gCL71IGb8-BVv9qqUKxQ2tZf5NSMRINQAW9V0I/s1600/sedera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQhwyQmAsYrN-tVe0I50k6RiiDBSmuSfTyaiB1pqIxai6grXA3rOeBORcng6ffXKmltOK2q3SweFzYpEwQctPT7gzVGPb0EHa4zxR5gCL71IGb8-BVv9qqUKxQ2tZf5NSMRINQAW9V0I/s1600/sedera.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Participants scrutinizing the new case manangement form</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Through sessions that
aimed at strengthening the capacity of community facilitators to collaborate with
both the SGBV survivors and the duty bearers mandated to resolve their cases, the
team was empowered to support the victims in their communities through the
effective use of the justice system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The community
facilitators were able to construct viable action plans for community sensitization
and handling of SGBV cases through their different Combating Defilement, Rape
and Sexual Harassment (CODERASH) committees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Compiled by </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Andrew Ssekirevu</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gender and Economic Policy Department</span></div>
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ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-35750462752432887272012-12-19T06:26:00.001-08:002012-12-19T06:26:48.271-08:00ACFODE Life Skills Training In Kisoro District Enlightens Women and Girls on Gender and Gender Roles<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">From the 11</span><sup style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">
to the 14</span><sup style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> of December 2012, ACFODE carried out Life Skills training
sessions in Kisoro district, at sub county level. The trainings were based on
the premise that women and girls are usually the victims of different forms of
violence ranging from direct physical aggression through beatings, rape, defilement,
forced and early marriages, to emotional violence, which usually manifests
through paternal refusal to pay school fees, denial of paternity to a child,
and eviction from home, among others.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
trainings targeted varied categories of young women in the community, including
head girls of schools, female youth leaders and child mothers with the aim of empowering
them to be able to cope adequately within their different spheres in society by
raising awareness on gender and gender roles, as well as equipping them with relevant
economic skills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">A cross section of participants in Busanza Sub County making </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">r</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">e-usable </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">sanitary pads during </span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">a training session</span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
participants, who came from 37 different villages in Busanza and Nyakabande
sub-counties, were taken through sessions to furnish them with deeper
understanding of the concept of gender and gender roles. These sessions brought
to light the fact that girls in the district generally carry a heavier work
load and do not enjoy the same privileges and rights as their male counter
parts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As a result
of the sessions, the participants were able to highlight unfair, stereotypical
gender roles in their communities that are 'man-made' and can therefore be
revised in favor of women and girls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The diverse
interactions also highlighted the pertinent need for awareness about HIV/AIDS
and skills development among the women in the community. Participants were also
equipped with skills in making reusable sanitary pads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The women
and girls in both villages were also encouraged by their leadership, to adopt
safer mechanisms for their domestic practices and to be more confident in their
interactions in society in order to achieve their desired goals. Ms.
Ntakirutimana Christine, the Sub County Chief of Nyakabande said in her speech,
‘<i>One has to speak with her head held high
so that people understand and believe in what she says. Females are lucky that
they are easily trusted so we, the women, need to utilize that opportunity</i>.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-77079853542361422122012-12-18T01:40:00.000-08:002012-12-18T01:40:35.595-08:00ACFODE DELIVERS A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE FEMALE INMATES OF LUZIRA PRISONS<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Action for Development
(ACFODE), an indigenous, voluntary, non-governmental women’s organization with
support from EIRENE paid a visit to Luzira women's prison on 14<sup>th</sup>
December 14, 2012. The visit, which was part of the broader theme for the
annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, aimed at promoting solidarity
for harmonious existence and peace by connecting with the female inmates
through the sharing of in-kind donations and a verbal message of hope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>ACFODE Chair Person Gertrude Ssekabira
hands over donations to some of the female inmates at Luzira prisons</i><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
collaboration with various women leaders, human and women right activists,
corporate companies, representatives from civil society and development partners,
ACFODE </span><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Futurist;">donated a number of basic necessities to the
female inmates, including; </span><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">bathing/washing soap, sanitary
pads, cotton wool, and toilet tissue, toothpaste, teeth brushes and Vaseline
among others..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Backed by the statutes
in gender sensitive laws such as "The Prisons Act 2006" which
outlines the rights and privileges of female prison inmates to special care for
their specific reproductive needs, for instance, the right to healthier meals
for pregnant and breast feeding female inmates, the visit further sought to challenge
the current dire circumstances faced by Uganda's female prison inmates who live
in overwhelmingly poor conditions, and also lack basic necessities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;">A <i>Representative
from Mukwano Group of Companies handing over some of their donations to the
female inmates</i></span><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Futurist;">The donations, which were handed over to the inmates by the ACFODE
Chair Person Gertrude Ssekabira, Executive Director Regina Bafaki and partner
organization representatives were warmly received by the prison ward who
remarked that the gifts received were timely and relevant to their needs. She
added that, "These are the women inmates; some of them are guilty, some of
them are innocent, but they are all reformed." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Futurist;">A message of hope was also delivered to the inmates by Ms. Betty
Byanyima, a women's rights activist, who urged the inmates to be optimistic
about their future, take advantage of their opportunities while in prison to
further their education and skills, and be a source of positive energy to those
around them. She said, "You should go back to school within the prison or
learn some new economic skills from each other so that when the time comes for
you to go back into society, you can make a positive difference."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Futurist;">The ladies drew further encouragement from the
ACFODE Chair Person, who emphasized in her speech that each of the women
inmates deserved and would be given a second chance to correct all their past
mistakes. She urged the women to seek peace while in their current situation for
the sake of societal improvement, saying "when you give peace to a woman,
you give peace to her children, her family and to the nation."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>Members of the delegation carrying some
of the donations to the vehicle before departure</i><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Futurist;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Futurist;">In light of the successful interactive activity,
ACFODE has gained better insight into the magnitude of the needs of the female
inmates at Luzira prisons, and therefore calls on the government of Uganda to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Fulfill international commitments
government has made by ratifying different regional and international
conventions such as The UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and
Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (2010) and the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights (2008), which outline the rights of women prisoners.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Operationalize the specific needs of
the women prisoners stipulated in the Uganda Prisons Act 2006.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Step up funding for the national
prisons budget to ensure conditions consistent with international standards set
in the UN Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners, and provide
sufficient provision for female prisoners' special reproductive needs.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Implement commitments made in existing
legislative measures that protect the lives of people especially the vulnerable
like women; for instance The Domestic Violence Act 3 (2010), Penal Code
amendments prohibiting defilement of girls and boys (2007), and the Equal
Opportunities Commission Act (2007).</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We also
call upon the Uganda Prisons System to:</span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Implement
the sections that uphold the special reproductive needs of female prisoners,
enshrined in policies such as; The Prisons Act 2006.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;">Ensure
access to prenatal, postnatal, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission
of HIV (PMTCT) services and address the nutritional needs of pregnant women and
breastfeeding mothers. </span></li>
</ul>
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<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We call upon </span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">women leaders, human and women right
activists, representatives from civil society, media and other key stakeholders</span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"> to:</span></div>
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<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Spearhead advocacy
efforts against abuse of female prisoners, and provide support to
supplement on the existing government efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Lobby for the provision
of legal services to the vulnerable who are prone to fall victim to the
fallible legal system, winding up in jail without genuine cause.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Popularize the
Prisons Act 2006 with more emphasis on the provisions that promote the
well-being of women prisoners in Uganda. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-60724516481613865342012-12-08T00:47:00.001-08:002012-12-08T00:51:22.349-08:00ACFODE Call to End Violence Against WomenACFODE would like to share a mini video call to end violence against women as the world celebrates 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. Please click on the link below to view the video, and share it within your networks.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://animoto.com/play/qNQpnJRRWh8IqYRVsCgmVw">ACFODE Call to End Violence Against Women</a>ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-77371539906942335192012-11-28T04:56:00.001-08:002012-11-28T04:56:51.042-08:00ACFODE Trains Civil Society Actors in Lira on Good Governance and Gender Accountability<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">ACFODE in partnership with DIAKONIA conducted
a Training of Trainers (TOT) for Civil Society Actors on Good Governance
and Gender Accountability in Lira District from the 21<sup>st</sup> November to
22<sup>nd</sup> November, 2012. The TOT is one in a series of activities under
the project: <b><i>Contributing to the Enhancement of Democratic Governance and Gender
Accountability at Local Level in Uganda. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The training brought together civil society actors from the districts
of Apac, Oyam and Kole with the aim of enhancing capacity of civil society
actors to promote good governance and gender accountability at local government
level and to conduct grassroots civic education.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhni8bnY8DVQYeZj36KH9P036sy3TxRrSMdnEOhYZexVNqKxXGpLyLtpptEeFPGrKXMpzM1WMko-ePPdaZnRBby0jVDazRHLICZ76Q7bw5BoiXGd-c2Nhw3BtwzYJ42CwM2f0rLyRhJb98/s1600/100_5612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhni8bnY8DVQYeZj36KH9P036sy3TxRrSMdnEOhYZexVNqKxXGpLyLtpptEeFPGrKXMpzM1WMko-ePPdaZnRBby0jVDazRHLICZ76Q7bw5BoiXGd-c2Nhw3BtwzYJ42CwM2f0rLyRhJb98/s320/100_5612.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A cross section of the Civil Society Actors from Oyam
District <br />during the training</span></span></i></b></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As a result of the two day training, the CSO Actors were equipped with
knowledge and skills on a number of topics including; the concepts of civic and
adult education, understanding of governance, Gender and Accountability, Human
rights and facilitation methods.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The participants found the training very relevant and helpful. Apio Theresa from Peace and
Reconciliation Ministries Africa, a CBO in Apac said,<b><i> “…this training is very good,
people in the villages need to know about human rights, there is a lot of abuse
going on down there and people do not know who to report to.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The
CSO Actors committed to returning to the communities in the sub counties to
pass on the knowledge and skills they had gained in this training; in this way
ACFODE hopes to realize a society where there is respect for women’s rights and
citizens are empowered to demand accountability from their leaders.</span><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-9573904170842813882012-11-25T12:12:00.003-08:002012-11-25T12:12:41.426-08:00ACFODE Successfully Launches Violence Free Candle and Anti SGBV Publications<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In light of this
year's theme for 16 Days of Activism:<em><b>
From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and
End Violence Against Women! </b></em><em>ACFODE </em><em><span style="font-style: normal;">hosted</span></em>
founders, members, staff, and beneficiaries, the media, the donor community,
government representatives and civil society organizations in </span>a colourful celebration to launch the 16 Days of Activism and celebrate 27 years of gender
activism at the ACFODE Secretariat on Friday 23<sup>rd</sup> November 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The event served as a
platform for the launch of ACFODE's latest publications developed to boost the
fight against SGBV. They include; a "Policy Brief on Building Citizen's
Resilience in Promoting Violence Free Families and Communities", and
"The Power of the Pen", which is a magazine documenting stories of
survivors of SGBV in some areas of ACFODE's operation, specifically, Apac and
Oyam districts. The abridged version of the organization's new strategic plan
for 2012-2016 was also unveiled at the event.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnVstcWgM02BR420Y6lw2tLQ3j57958Jsupt8UjtCSklv4KmxvFAr6X-2qyVBVgYaOcYFNt1qpAyy7bB6ucpalVl2PbmHHBQTcXlSvis-pvl5_5kghmHLFjJDuy36XwESDwd5cC4OmzY/s1600/neo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnVstcWgM02BR420Y6lw2tLQ3j57958Jsupt8UjtCSklv4KmxvFAr6X-2qyVBVgYaOcYFNt1qpAyy7bB6ucpalVl2PbmHHBQTcXlSvis-pvl5_5kghmHLFjJDuy36XwESDwd5cC4OmzY/s1600/neo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>ACFODE
Executive Director holds up<br />"The Power of the Pen" during the launch
ceremony</i></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In a show of
solidarity, ACFODE founders, members, staff, and beneficiaries, the media, the donor
community, government representatives and civil society organizations joined
hands to light the "Violence Free Candle", a symbol of commitment to
ending violence against women. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The proceedings were
presided over by guest of honor Dr. Maxine Ankrah, a leading woman activist and
founder member of ACFODE. </span><span style="font-family: Maiandra GD, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdxVO2rTrKj9ArHCeAn7cxiO3sZ_B6vfBX8w8Szl8uNkrdKxotWmRsP-IwrTJXiTZgBVr5bGm75-BMxXIKSIZ5xVfhNtt8OkzPkA8GzL4HQW4y8zx1nIBydSwZw6IGUgUejNNWsn4_-E/s1600/new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdxVO2rTrKj9ArHCeAn7cxiO3sZ_B6vfBX8w8Szl8uNkrdKxotWmRsP-IwrTJXiTZgBVr5bGm75-BMxXIKSIZ5xVfhNtt8OkzPkA8GzL4HQW4y8zx1nIBydSwZw6IGUgUejNNWsn4_-E/s1600/new.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Guest of Honor Maxine Ankrah, Executive
Director Regina Bafaki and Chair Person Gertrude Ssekabira</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>preside over the lighting of the Violence Free Candle</i></span></div>
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ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-35654447090227481822012-11-21T06:42:00.001-08:002012-11-25T12:36:54.502-08:00ACFODE Prepares 11 Districts for Local Governance Assessment and District Peer Review Mechanism <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As one of the components under the project, </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Action for Strengthening Good Governance and
Accountability", Action for Development (ACFODE) together with
implementing partner Konrad Adeneuer Stiftung (KAS) will next year conduct a
local governance assessment and District Peer Review Mechanism (DPRM) in the 11
districts of project implementation aimed at assessing the state of democratic
governance at the local level with specific emphasis on </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">democratic values and principles, good governance,
accountability and human rights and rule of law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The DPRM will actively involve stakeholders from
the district and will consist of a self-assessment together with a peer review
among the districts through exchange visits. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In preparation for the above activities, 4 regional </span><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">training workshops for selected participants from
civil society and local councils from the districts of Jinja, Pallisa and Soroti
in the East; Kabale, Kisoro, Mbarara in the West; Arua, Pader, Lira in the
North and Kiboga as well as Masaka in the Central region were conducted in the
month of November. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkIjmHrVwqmF5OkgZf3lYF5_MDmTCCuUlA5o7j0D5Eyn0kQR1AenTFvPs-oAQ49o4OpXRLfMiRCKRqNrSThpoOjxm_MhzPhWR3yJ0bfcHOjm0fAQQ9H4Z4PTJ8rf4qNxuB6Ks-h6SJ-s/s1600/DPRM+LIRA+SOROTI+&+Kampala+508+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkIjmHrVwqmF5OkgZf3lYF5_MDmTCCuUlA5o7j0D5Eyn0kQR1AenTFvPs-oAQ49o4OpXRLfMiRCKRqNrSThpoOjxm_MhzPhWR3yJ0bfcHOjm0fAQQ9H4Z4PTJ8rf4qNxuB6Ks-h6SJ-s/s1600/DPRM+LIRA+SOROTI+&+Kampala+508+(1).JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Associate Professor Yasin Olum facilitates a session during the Northern Region training workshops for the Assessors who will conduct the local governance assessment and DPRM</i></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Through these workshops, targeted civil society actors and
local councilors who had been trained earlier in this project were prepared for
the task of conducting a local governance assessment which will take place in
January 2013. </span></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-65165268639628181022012-11-07T02:28:00.000-08:002012-11-07T02:28:09.098-08:00ACFODE Facilitates National Level Inter-Institutional Debate Tournament<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Uganda celebrated its Jubilee celebrations, ACFODE in
partnership with Konrad Adenuer Stiftung (KAS) organized Inter Institutional
Debate Competitions which ran from 12th-13th October 2012 at Nob View Hotel,
Ntinda with the final round being held at Hotel Africana during the Award Giving Ceremony. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtdDJmDCYpOR1U3tjnYRX4pwzy3UW4dIUF-g165apypjvi-ZcaBZjzb_cRo2yzVp3r0xnO4L8rq9VSpRKc91J3IgtXrWo3pAFexVPTo6G9Rupd937RYI7HSSRgKB-YFHNgwqxLHtBfS0/s1600/interdebate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtdDJmDCYpOR1U3tjnYRX4pwzy3UW4dIUF-g165apypjvi-ZcaBZjzb_cRo2yzVp3r0xnO4L8rq9VSpRKc91J3IgtXrWo3pAFexVPTo6G9Rupd937RYI7HSSRgKB-YFHNgwqxLHtBfS0/s320/interdebate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 8pt;">Kyambogo University
Students pose for a photo with the ACFODE executive director (Ms.Regina
Bafaki), Hon. Gerald Karuhanga (Youth MP western region) and the ACFODE board member
(MS.Florence Muhwezi)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 8pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The thrilling Debate Competition under the theme <span style="background: white;">“Uganda at 50; Promoting Youth Activism towards Gender
Equality and Good Governance” </span>was conducted using the British
Parliamentary Debate Format with the aim of building the capacity of youth in
higher institutions of learning on Gender Equality, Functional Democracy, Human
Rights and Good Governance. It tackled pertinent issues like Human Rights,
Gender Equality and Youth Activism. </span><span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
national level debates were a climax to all the debate tournaments that ACFODE
has held since 2010 .These tournaments have been held in the 4 regions of
Uganda and have brought together various tertiary institutions. The national
level debates brought together outstanding debaters from some of the
institutions that have participated in these tournaments,</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> including</span><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">; Makerere University, Makerere University
Business School, Uganda Christian University Mukono, Kampala International
University, Nkumba University, Gulu
University, Unyama National Teachers College Gulu, Mutolere Nursing School
Kisoro, Bishop Stuart University Mbarara, Kabale National teachers college and
Kyambogo University.<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The finals, which were held at Hotel Africana and presided over by Mr.
Fagil Mandy, saw one of the Kyambogo University teams emerging winners of the
competition and Gulu University coming in second place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418166461796356122.post-66425245247013310252012-11-07T02:19:00.000-08:002012-11-07T02:19:34.562-08:00ACFODE Takes The Gospel Of Peace To Primary Schools<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From September 21st to
October 22nd, Action for Development (ACFODE), an indigenous, voluntary,
non-governmental women’s organization with support from EIRENE conducted a
number of activities in commemoration of the World Peace Day celebrated on the
21st of September annually. Facilitating Awareness Workshops on Peace in
Primary Schools was one of the activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gmFYpEMvLSR_uAUumxd8YmZxeEjKS44IaZ17ZNB_JlgUfT9XmztcRg3vdtKx6DJzi42poK-wrIJOGujtGAB_PQJ5xS3npOePpbnhCF2ZY6ufsL-glLzH38KXiHXWcisZrnSI5hp3SQU/s1600/school+peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gmFYpEMvLSR_uAUumxd8YmZxeEjKS44IaZ17ZNB_JlgUfT9XmztcRg3vdtKx6DJzi42poK-wrIJOGujtGAB_PQJ5xS3npOePpbnhCF2ZY6ufsL-glLzH38KXiHXWcisZrnSI5hp3SQU/s320/school+peace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Art
works drawn by pupils from Kawempe Mbogo Primary School <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">to
represent their understanding of peace<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The awareness
workshops sought to “inculcate a culture of peace among the children.” Ten
schools around Kampala namely; Nakivubo Primary School, Kisasa Primary School, Ggaba
Model Primary School, Pic Hill Primary School, Kawempe Mbogo Primary School, Police
Children Primary School, Cornerstone Primary School, Nakibuvo Settlement
Primary School, Kyagwe Road Primary School and, Namirembe Infants Primary
School partnered with ACFODE in this initiative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The workshops
particularly targeted pupils from classes 4, 5, and 6 who comprised of the
prefect body, class monitors, and abused children who were identified by the
teachers. Three hundred and eighty four children in total benefitted from this
intervention, which engaged them in a number of creative activities including; Storytelling,
creation of own artworks, music, dance and drama, and plenary discussions on
peace.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
plenary sessions answered several questions regarding peace, including; the
definition of peace, causes of conflict and the process of conflict resolution,
among others. Pupils were also encouraged to draw creative art pieces
representing peace, an exercise that resulted in explicit works of art that depicted
a clear understanding on the pupils’ part, of the concept of peace that they
were learning about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Maiandra GD', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Maiandra GD","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the end of the
trainings, participants were awarded with a Certificates of Completion (Peace
Ambassadors). In the near future, ACFODE will be making follow-up visits to
find out how the Ambassadors are making use of the acquired knowledge in terms
of preaching the gospel of peace in their schools, homes and communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
ACFODEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526646481957768305noreply@blogger.com0