Even though Uganda has laws and policies that promote women’s rights and was long considered a leading country on gender equality in the region, progress has stalled or been reversed in many areas. The general human rights situation has deteriorated, with both organisations and individuals experiencing harassment and persecution. The country’s powerful women’s movement is among the most significant forces for a just and gender equal Uganda.

Economic participation is a precondition for gender equality, but economic inequality and discrimination of women remains widespread in Uganda. 71% of all in informal work are women and more women than men are unemployed or working poor. An estimated 70% of women in Uganda work in agriculture and about half of all women-led households experience multidimensional poverty. Barriers in access to capital, equipment and training, in addition to gender discriminatory norms limit women’s opportunities to improve their situation, which is increasingly exacerbated by climate change.

Economic independence gives women power and options, better chances to leave violent relationships and get access to healthcare and education, both for themselves and their children. But women farmers work on land that is generally owned and controlled by men. When the crop or the land is sold, or if the husband dies or leaves, women are left without money or rights. Through the formation of women’s cooperatives and other groups, women can support each other, share experiences, challenge gender discriminatory norms and work together to improve their situation. This is particularly important for the development of locally adapted climate smart solutions for agriculture and agroforestry. 

FOKUS’ partners NAWOU, WCCI and FIDA facilitate cooperatives for agriculture and agroforestry in Luwero, Mubende, Gomba, Butombala and Mukono, hold trainings in sustainable solutions and economic rights, provide legal aid to promote land claims and advocate gender equal policies and laws, among other things.

Reproductive Health Uganda has stated that: “the people of Uganda face urgent sexual and reproductive health issues, with high prevalence of HIV and AIDS and unmet needs for contraception presenting some of the most immediate and life-threatening risks.” About half of all pregnancies for girls and young women between 15 and 19 are unintended, most of these are youth with unmet needs for contraception. Here too the problem is greatest in rural areas. Women and girls in the districts Nebbi, Zombo, Pakwach and Madi-Okollo have traditionally been in a subordinate position, with the husband and male relatives controlling their bodies and lives. This directly and negatively impacts their sexual and reproductive health.

As illiteracy, another barrier to SRHR, is widespread in the area, FOKUS’ partner UPLIFT West Nile combines education and training in SRHR, literacy courses and low threshold health services in areas where this is difficult to access.