Empowering refugee women, Uganda, 2015-2017
Development project "Empowering refugee women in Uganda - Saying NO to inequality, vulnerability and poverty", 2015-2017
Institute Circle and the Ugandan organization Hope of Children and Women Victims of Violence (HOCW) jointly implemented a project with the aim of increasing the economic independence of women, especially refugee women, in Ndejje, Uganda, and improving the position of women and increasing respect or implementing their rights. After the completion of the project, 60 women were able to support their families financially by growing mushrooms and hairdressing, and 110 girls and women involved knew how to list their rights, protect themselves, say no, act in case of violence and act as equals to men.
Mushroom growing and hairdressing are areas with a lot of business potential in the Ndejja area, so we upgraded the existing work in these two areas within HOCW, trained women, provided them with space, tools, accessories and materials, as well as additional support for work. The purchase of land for HOCW is the first ownership of the property.
In terms of the size of the country's economy (GDP per person), Uganda ranks fourth in terms of the number of refugees in the country. In February 2016, there were over 500,000 registered refugees in Uganda, of which 79% were women and children. It is especially difficult for women to find employment, there are many single mothers. Refugees who are not in refugee camps (there are over 77,000 of them in the urban environment) mostly eat 1-2 times a day.
With occasional jobs, they barely earn enough for the cheapest, basic food. Not knowing the language and customs hinders them from integrating into society and ensuring their livelihood. The local population already struggles with poverty, but the situation is even worse for refugees.
The project was financed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia within international development cooperation. The opinion and content of the project do not represent the official position of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.
Project duration: 2015–2017
Project partners: Zavod Krog (Slovenia), Hope of Children and Women Victims of Violence (HOCW, Uganda)
The project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia as part of international development cooperation.
