Current Activities
NDI began its Uganda program in October 2003, working with parliamentary caucuses on a new electoral framework. The program continued in 2004 and 2005 with a focus on capacity building for local NGOs preparing to monitor the upcoming elections and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the north attempting to broaden citizen participation.
Since 2006, NDI has been working to encourage greater collaboration between women CSOs and women MPs and has assisted their efforts to establish a common women’s legislative agenda (CWLA) centered around five mutually-agreed upon targeted issues: infant and maternal mortality, a domestic relations bill, sexual offenses, human trafficking, and the East African Charter. To build UWOPA’s capacity to effectively promote the CWLA and serve as a resource to women activists and members of parliament (MPs), NDI implemented a series of targeted technical assistance activities, including organizing a series of targeted training programs to build the legislative capacity of women MPs and widening the women’s rights network through a series of roundtable discussions. Additionally, NDI worked with members of UWOPA to conduct constituency outreach events in their districts. These events enabled women MPs to discuss CWLA issues with local elected, religious and traditional leaders and to create a strategy for addressing these issues. Activities to strengthen civil society organizations’ ability to advocate for women’s legislative issues have included small grants to assist in advocacy as well as training and technical assistance on issue advocacy, public awareness and outreach, and monitoring governmental performance related to women’s rights.
With additional support, the Institute plans to build on its successes by supporting women-led organizations as they address the challenges posed by the reconciliation process in northern Uganda. Assistance will be provided to enhance the ability of CSOs to advocate on priority CWLA issues and to foster a network of mutual support and expertise among Ugandan CSOs so they present a more unified voice to help safeguard women’s rights during the reintegration and reconciliation process.
Contact Information
For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:
Washington, D.C.
Alison Paul DeSchryver, Program Manager
(202) 728-5410
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