Inclusive Policy Advocacy
Inclusive policy advocacy is crucial for achieving gender equality and ensuring that all women, including those from marginalized communities, have equal opportunities.
Transforming Communities Together
Inclusive policy advocacy is crucial for achieving gender equality and ensuring that all women, including those from marginalized communities, have equal opportunities. This advocacy helps address systemic barriers, such as restricted access to education, employment, and healthcare, which disproportionately affect women. Effective policies ensure that diverse women’s needs are met, promoting a fair and equitable society.
In Uganda, approximately 38% of households are female-headed, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions. Many of these women face significant challenges, including limited access to financial resources and education. Advocating for policies that support women in these areas can enhance their economic empowerment and overall well-being, directly impacting their families and communities.
Inclusive policy advocacy also contributes to sustainable development. Women’s economic participation is linked to improved social outcomes; in developing countries, women reinvest up to 90% of their income into their families and communities. By promoting policies that support women’s financial inclusion and leadership, we drive broader economic growth and social progress, benefiting society as a whole.
Ongoing Initiatives
Financial Inclusion Advocacy:
Our financial inclusion advocacy focuses on expanding access to financial services for women. We actively lobby for the establishment and enhancement of microfinance programs, the provision of subsidized loans, and the implementation of financial literacy education. As a result, over 1,000 women have benefited from comprehensive financial training, and 500 women have accessed crucial loans through our microfinance initiatives, enabling them to start or expand their businesses.
Legal Rights Reform:
We are committed to ensuring that women have the right to own and inherit property. Our advocacy efforts include working with lawmakers to reform property rights legislation and simplify business registration processes. This collaboration has led to the drafting of new property rights laws that enhance women's ability to secure and manage property, thus improving their economic stability and opportunities.
Health and Social Protection:
To enhance healthcare services and social protection for women, we advocate for improved maternal health services, expanded community groups health insurance coverage, and robust social protection programs. Our efforts have contributed to significant advancements, including the expansion of community health insurance coverage (since Uganda has no Public Insurance) for women in rural areas, which has improved access to essential health services and support.
Education and Vocational Training:
We strive to enhance educational and vocational opportunities for women by promoting policies that support free primary and secondary education and by facilitating vocational training programs. Through our partnerships with educational institutions, we have provided scholarships and vocational training to over 500 women, helping them gain the skills and qualifications necessary for economic advancement.
Representation and Leadership:
Increasing women’s representation in leadership roles is a key focus of our work. We advocate for gender quotas in both political and corporate leadership and support mentorship programs designed to empower emerging women leaders. Our initiatives have successfully supported the election of women to local government positions and established mentorship connections that support young women in their leadership journeys.
Research Brief: Women’s Economic Empowerment in Uganda
Researchers: Objective: To analyze the multifaceted aspects of women’s economic empowerment in Uganda, examining their participation in various sectors, the challenges they face, and potential policy interventions.
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Advocacy Statement on Women’s Development and Safety
At Eliezah Foundation, we are deeply committed to advancing women’s development and ensuring their safety from all forms of gender-based violence.
At Eliezah Foundation, we are deeply committed to advancing women’s development and ensuring their safety from all forms of gender-based violence.
Take Action
There are lots of ways to get involved with efiug’s work to advance equity. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of women and girls.