WHAT WE DO

GWEFODE seeks to advocate for community recognition and respect of human rights especially of the marginalized such as women and the Pygmies also referred to as the “Batwa” in Southwestern Uganda and the ability to participate in political leadership, Conflict resolution, domestic violence prevention and support by mobilizing communities to act against all forms of Violence against Women, Children, monitoring, documentation and reporting on the situation of women rights in Uganda.

GWEFODE works with policy makers, men and women in local governments, Police, relevant ministries, other women's organizations at all levels to undertake activities such as capacity building of women leaders that will positively influence governance in Uganda, sensitize and train women in human rights, political and leadership skills in order to raise the level of human rights awareness and practice, Mentoring women to participate in decision making processes, Supporting women to acquire leadership and political positions

In this program, we have three major components;

1. Participatory Governance and Gender Equity Advocacy (PAGEA)
2. Gender Based Violence Prevention and Response (GBVPR)
3. Conflict Resolution and Peace Building (COREPEB)

In South Western Uganda, more than 90% of the people derive their livelihood from agriculture. These livelihoods are threatened in rural and peri-urban areas in uniquely different ways both for agriculture and income. In rural areas livelihoods from agriculture are affected by climatic changes characterized by droughts and very occasionally hailstone and floods. Threats to incomes are caused by lack of appropriate credit, limited educational opportunities and economic activities that generate income. High transactional costs involved in marketing of products both due to long distances involved, poor marketing arrangements and the poor infrastructure drastically reduces gross margins thus perpetuating poverty.

As a result, people especially Women and girls in rural areas have resorted to casual labour, temporary migration especially to urban centers in search of alternative employment and begging, early marriages, resorting to poor diets, rationing and maternal buffering.

GWEFODE works alongside communities to find practical solutions to poverty and marginalization by building the capabilities of poor women to improve their livelihoods. We actively seek to work with women and men, girls and boys in communities and adopt a collaborative approach, sharing knowledge and experience. We increase our impact by scaling up success and pushing for policy change that directly benefits poor communities.

In this program, we have three major components;

1. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (SAFS)
2. Sustainable Energy Efficient Technologies (SEET)
3. Vocational Education and Training (VET)

In Uganda, up to 1.5 million people die from water, sanitation and hygiene related diseases each year and millions more suffer from preventable diseases such as diarrhea, intestinal worms, schistosomiasis and trachoma. Lack of access to improved sanitation is also holding back progress on other MDGs, including child and maternal health, nutrition and education, as well as affording dignity and empowerment especially to women and girls.

Uganda is ravaged by the HIV/AIDS epidemic leaving families, communities, and individuals devastated. In South western Uganda, HIV/AIDS is devastating for its victims and their families, leaving behind elderly family members especially Women disproportionally bearing the burden and nearly one million orphans with no means to support themselves. The destitute survivors far outnumber the diseased. Because AIDS impoverishes its victims and their families, economic interventions are also desperately needed in addition to awareness campaigns.

In this program, we have three major components;

1. Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
2. HIV/AIDS and Malaria Prevention (HIMAP)
3. Maternal and Child Health (MACH)