Gender inequality is a challenge that women often face in their daily lives and this has left them vulnerable and unable to access resources. Realizing the significance of creating awareness on these gaps, ACFODE in partnership with We Effect is implementing the project with the aim of enhancing the capacities of We Effect partners to deliver gender-responsive services and products to their members.
In striving to reach this goal, we identified and trained gender focal persons on gender equality, gender mainstreaming and integration, advocacy and results-based reporting to create awareness on gender equality among members and integrated gender in different activities. We also identified and trained 44 model couples as agents for gender equality in their respective communities. With the model couple intervention more women have been able to get involved in business with their husband’s support and more spouses are jointly catering for their children’s school fees without conflict.
Our efforts were realised when; over 30 women joined the Women in the Business scheme at Semuliki Cooperative Union (SEMUCU) by end of 2019, and more than 123 Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations-SACCOs under Uganda Central Co-operative Financial Services Limited (UCCFS) customized gender policies. This resulted in increased appreciation and positive attitude of members, staff and board towards gender equality. There has also been an increase in the active participation of women in leadership and decision-making processes among partners in the last 3 years.