2017 Achievements

WLEDE turned five (5) years since its formation and this was an achievement that was applauded by the Governance Board and well-wishers. The first strategic plan was evaluated and we scored highly on the set goals.

This informed the development of the 2nd strategic plan for 2018 – 2022 with the theme “Strengthening Leadership capacity of Women and Youth Leaders for Community Transformation”.

We added two projects on our program’s portfolio: –
Under the Strengthening Democracy and Good Governance Practice – We started a new project “Beyond 2016: Influencing party leadership to support women in mainstream party leadership and enhancing advocacy and lobbying skills for the women leagues leaders”.

It is supported by the African Women Development fund – AWDF and will run for two years July 2017 – June 2019.In the Leadership capacity and personal development – We enlarged our territory and entered the economic sector through a project “Enhancing Green Opportunities for women and youth in Lira District – Northern Uganda – EGO”. This is implemented in partnership with AVSI Foundation and supported by the Delegation of the European Union – EU.

It is a three-year project effective December 2017 to November 2020.
Promoting Human rights and Gender equality: -Promoting the observance of fundamental human rights and peaceful co-existence in the Rwenzori Region project.

The trained women and youth leaders worked as a team to effectively address different issues in their respective communities. These included domestic violence especially Gender Based Violence at family level and inter- tribal conflicts between indigenous and the refugees.The Youth leaders trained have now formed youth human rights and peace building clubs in all the 15 sub counties that are currently spearheading human rights promotion and conflict resolution.

A youth group in Mpara Sub County composed of 5 males aged between 20 -32 were able to intervene and address cases of abuses and conflicts in their community. Youth are more confident and have proved very instrumental in asking duty bearers pertinent issues during the face the citizen human rights dialogues.
With the enhanced leadership capacity and alternative dispute resolutions of the local leaders’ indigenous communities can now access health services within the refugee camps. This is evidenced in the reduced discrimination and hostility between refugees and the host community.

Even refugees now have opportunities; to buy land, work as taxi drivers, boda-boda riders in the host communities.Overall, women leaders have contributed positively to the livelihood of their families. They have solved domestic violence issues at household level in addition to improving economic status of women; addressing food security, nutrition and hygiene in communities.

A number of success stories have been documented. These include the “Save the girl child from early marriages campaign in Kyegegwa district, Women empowerment to influence formulation of Bi laws of girl child rights, Improved relations between the local community and refugees in Kyaka II refugee camp, Increased uptake of Alternative dispute resolution by locals to resolve land and other civil conflicts among others.