Institutional Development, Engagement and Sustainability (IDEAS)
Nurturing FOWODE into a Centre for Women’s Learning, Innovation and Excellence
OVERVIEW
WHAT WE DO
Champion innovation and shape the narrative on women and girls’ rights.
FOWODE is a recognized thought leader on women’s rights, driving narratives that elevate women’s leadership and economic justice. Our evidence-based advocacy, digital innovations, and groundbreaking programs have influenced policy and shifted mindsets.
Our work has been celebrated nationally and internationally, earning several awards.
- Gender and Equity Responsive Planning and Budgeting award.
- Gender and Equity Budgeting and Women’s Leadership from the Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development.
- Promotion of Gender Equality from Diakonia.
- Woman of the Future award from Nation Media Group.
- Empower Her award from Nation Media Group.
FOWODE continues to influence public discourse by contributing to the body of knowledge on women’s leadership, empowerment, gender responsive budgeting and the sustainable development goals. We have published a myriad of publications, training manuals, research publications, articles, to fuel advocacy for accelerated gender responsive laws, policies and plans.
Some critical knowledge products produced include:
- The first-ever Training Manual on Increased Financing of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) and SHR&RR on the African continent.
- Training Manuals for Feminist Leadership for young women and women leaders in politics and the public sector, male engagement, and a Civic Education Guide.
- Thought provoking research that includes, Budgeting for Peace I and II, A study on Violence Against Women in Elections, Reality Check I & II, Women shattering the Glass ceiling, Gender Responsiveness of Uganda’s Tax Regime among others.
We invite you to read about the impact of our work in stories of change publications like the Girl brand, GEAR, and project evaluation reports https://fowode.org/publications/stories
For real time updates, please access our regular newsletters through https://fowode.org/publications/
Amplify voice on women’s critical and emerging priorities.
FOWODE harnesses the media, our strong track record, strategic partnerships, and influence within key spaces to enhance our profile as a leading organization on women’s leadership and economic justice.
Follow us on our different platforms, share our stories, and help us amplify the voices of women in all their diversities.
Strategic Partnerships
In pursuit of our bold vision, FOWODE recognizes that advancing gender equality requires strong alliances at every level. Over the years, we have built and sustained multi-level strategic partnerships that leverage resources, expertise and influence to amplify women’s voices and advance gender equality in Uganda, the region and globally.
We ensure that Ugandan women’s voices are represented in international policy spaces, including:
- Partnerships with Womankind Worldwide, Women’s Major Group, and the Global Alliance on Tax Justice.
- Active participation in key global platforms such as the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Conference of the Parties (COP).
- Consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
We contribute to regional processes on the continent that advance women’s rights and sustainable development, such as:
- The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACPHR).
- The Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD).
- Membership in FEMNET, a pan-African feminist network that unites voices for women’s rights across the continent.
FOWODE is a key influencer in Uganda’s governance and policy spaces through:
- The Office of the Prime Minister and the Gender and Equity Budgeting Taskforce, where we continue to pioneer Gender Responsive Budgeting.
- Convening power of the Uganda Gender Consortium on Sustainable Development Goals (UGCS), bringing together gender actors in the CSO Core Reference Group to monitor gender equality in the SDGs.
We strengthen grassroots women’s voices through:
- Village Budget Clubs (VBCs) and women’s groups that monitor service delivery and hold leaders accountable.
- Caucusing at the district level to ensure that women’s priorities are not left out of planning and budgeting processes.
Cultivate organizational capacity to catalyze gender transformative governance.
FOWODE has a five-member Board with diverse expertise in gender advocacy, organizational governance, financial management, and political engagement. Their diverse skills collectively strengthen FOWODE’s corporate governance and ensure a solid foundation from which strategy is steered. We continually invest in building the capacity of our board members, ensuring that our governance remains women-centered, transformative, and responsive to emerging challenges.
To ground the organization even further, we have often reviewed our governing documents to align with best practices and the evolving operating environment.
The secretariat is women led, reflecting our commitment to women’s empowerment not just in our programs, but at every level of our organization. Our leadership team combines seasoned professionals with deep expertise in gender advocacy, policy influence, and program management, ensuring that strategic decisions are informed, inclusive, and impactful.
Membership - be part of the movement!
FOWODE, since inception has been a membership organization with individual members forming the Annual General Assembly and being the apex body. Over time, we have fortified our membership base by intentionally recruiting and currently retaining 66 diverse and transformative individuals who share our feminist values.
Members are categorized into full members and associate members.
FULL MEMBERSHIP
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Identify themselves as a member of the Uganda women's movement (women and men working together with a common agenda of fighting for peace, equality, voice and justice).
- Be committed to making a contribution to the organization's vision and mission.
- Adhere to feminist principles of authenticity; accessibility; autonomy; dignity and respect; empowerment; equality and equity; inclusiveness.
Ensure growth and sustainability of the organization.
For FOWODE, sustainability means resilience. It remains core to the organization’s growth and tenacity. We are investing in strong systems, innovative initiatives, and social enterprises to ensure that our work continues for generations.
The second women’s radio station in the country and the first in the Northern Region!
Established in 2012, SPEAK FM currently reaches over 2,000,000 listeners across 11 districts of Northern Uganda, some parts of Eastern DRC and South Sudan. The radio serves as a unique space for women’s voice on good governance, democracy, social justice and leadership.
We are committed to the full institutionalization of SPEAK FM, refining our content strategy and enhancing our brand presence.
Support SPEAK FM today by contributing to our programming or partnering with us. Your support will fuel efforts to amplify women’s voices, shape public discourse, and foster transformative change across the region.
Birthed to enhance women’s financial resilience, growth and prosperity. Comprising of over 100 enthusiastic men and women, the SACCO continues to serve as a space for strengthened solidarity, social cohesion and a vehicle for economic empowerment.
The Imara women’s Centre (IWC) is a FOWODE initiative to anchor our work on the advancement of women’s rights. Imara’ is a Swahili word for Bold, Strong and Firm.
The center will
- Facilitate women’s own independent voice.
- Build and strengthen women leaders to champion gender equality.
- Be a launchpad for action for feminist campaigns.
- Provide a safe and empowering space and support activism for zero acceptance of sexual and gender-based violence.
- Be a place for rejuvenation, reflection, nurturing, healing and self-care.
- Be a women’s space for creativity, innovation, learning and networking.
- Facilitate networks and connections to bring about togetherness for equality and women’s rights.