|
Government Programmes in Uganda - Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
Legal Aid Services and Legal Education The MGLSD has pioneered a paralegal training programme in one district (Kamuli) to improve the delivery of legal services to communities. Two thirds of the paralegals are women. These paralegals have helped women to access legal services within the locality and at far less cost than formal courts. Simplified booklets and manuals, including the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, have been prepared by the MGLSD on various laws to make them more accessible to the public. The MGLSD organizes and coordinates annual celebrations for the commemoration of National Women’s Day at national and lower levels, when women’s issues are raised and women at grassroots levels are made aware of their rights. The MGLSD, through the Department of Gender, has carried out capacity building on gender equality and women’s empowerment for various target groups. The Ministry targeted Permanent Secretaries, Directors and heads of departments in Government, politicians as well as heads of departments at the district level, district planners, statisticians and community development officers who handle gender mainstreaming functions at the district level, as well as NGOs. Monitoring and Evaluation of Gender Mainstreaming The Ministry has developed a framework for monitoring gender mainstreaming. In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development the Ministry has integrated gender monitoring within the poverty monitoring framework, which is spearheaded by the Poverty Working Group (PWG). The Government, through the MGLSD, operates credit schemes that reserve a quota for women. In accordance with the Government’s policy of poverty eradication, the Entandikwa Credit Scheme was introduced. “Entandikwa” means “start up capital”. The credit scheme is a start up capital fund targeting poor people, with the aim of helping them to improve their economic Status. Under the scheme, 30% of the credit is allocated to women and youth. Gender Sensitisation for the Legal Profession The MGLSD has embarked on gender sensitisation training for members of the
Judiciary, state attorneys and the police, to equip them with the knowledge
and sensitivity to appreciate the perspective of women and the consequences
of discrimination |
