The Ugandan government, in partnership with UN Women and the Japanese Embassy, has launched the women, peace, and security agenda valued at USD 3.6 million.
This initiative is aimed at empowering women in peace-building activities within refugee settlements and host communities, with a broader goal of fostering inclusive and resilient societies.
With over 1.5 million refugees currently in Uganda and the numbers growing, ensuring the safety and security of women and girls is critical.
The agenda seeks to amplify their role in peace processes, offering them a platform to contribute to conflict resolution and community resilience.
Dr. Lillian Aber, Uganda's State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, emphasized that the initiative is expected to yield significant outcomes, benefiting over 11,000 women across districts like Adjumani and Yumbe.
" We believe this money will enable UN Women to support 11,000 women, girls, boys and men in Adjumani, Yumbe, Madi Okollo, Isingiro and Kyegegwa districts. These are the Frontline districts which are currently receiving a large Influx of refugees from DRC , Sudan, Eritrea, Somali and South Sudan, " Aber emphasized.
Paulina Chiwangu, UN Women’s Country Representative in Uganda, highlighted that the agenda will not only enhance women's participation in peace-building but also address their immediate needs in these communities.
Chiwangu highlighted the key areas of focus.
"Refugees and host women, men, and youth have increased capacity obactiveky participate and contribute meaningfulky to peacebuilding and conflict mitigation processe," She noted.
She also added that, women human rights defenders should have access to timely and quality social and protection services through strengthened protection, referral and access to justice mechanisms.
Japanese Ambassador Sasayama Takuya noted that the project will also focus on enhancing women’s capacities in areas such as climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction, ultimately improving economic opportunities and protection for women and girls.
"This project implemented by UN Women, aims to address women's protection, peace building process participation, and economic opportunity expansion for 11,000 refugees and host community members in 5 refugee hosting districts.
He noted that Japanese Foreign affairs minister Ms. Kamikawa emphasized the importance of the women peace and security agenda that encourage women's leadership roles and participation in conflict prevention, reconstruction, and peace building.
T
he policy makers highlighted that this agenda should be awake up call to accelerate the implementation of Women, Peace and Security in Uganda and globally.