Our Programmes

Climate Change

Our climate is changing fast, with devastating impact on species and ecosystems. Women are disproportionately affected by climate change, yet their role as leaders and agents of change is often overlooked.

WEM implements a climate resilience and justice program in response to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The programme strengthens women's efforts, voices, and actions to become more resilient and responsive to climate change.

• Increase awareness and utilization of renewable energy solutions among community members
• Build women's capacity to engage national and local governments to integrate gender-focused climate measures into policies, strategies, and plans

Environment Conservation

The environment sustains life and its sustainable management should be a concern of all nations. Uganda's Environment and Natural Resources play a vital role in sustainable development, providing water, energy, raw materials, and livelihoods.

However, Uganda has lost a large stock of its natural resources — forest cover reduced from 24% in 1990 to 12.4% in 2015, and wetlands from 15.6% to 8.9%.

Women play a critical role in managing natural resources, yet they are often excluded from decision-making. WEM calls on government to increase effective participation of women in environmental decision-making by promoting their access, ownership, and utilization of natural resources.

Land Rights & Agriculture

Land is a fundamentally important resource in Uganda, and is the basis of income, sustenance, and identity for the majority of Ugandans. Agriculture dominates the economy, accounting for 80% of export earnings and 80% of employment nationwide.

Approximately 87% of Uganda's population resides in rural areas, with 85% involved in subsistence agriculture. Nationwide, 90% of all rural women work in agriculture, producing an estimated 80% of food crops and contributing 90% of all labor for food production.

Land rights continue to be violated through land grabbing, forced eviction, and other injustices. This programme seeks to create awareness of land rights among communities and empower women to defend their land rights.

Economic Empowerment

WEM builds the capacity of low-income women in income generating activities so they are able to participate and make decisions at household and community levels. We link lack of economic empowerment to challenges such as gender-based violence, education dropout rates, corruption, and maternal mortality.

• Agriculture capacity building: Training women farmer groups in agriculture education, providing inputs, and linking them to markets and training centres.
• Entrepreneurship & savings: Training women in entrepreneurship skills, encouraging group savings, and managing lending activities.
• Adult learning & skills development: Enhancing literacy and participatory skills so women can negotiate, participate, and make informed decisions in all aspects of their lives.

WEM works closely with likeminded organizations for coalition building, advocacy, and policy change, identifying key policy and cultural issues that affect women's economic empowerment.