FOWODE | FUNDRAISING | IWC

The Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) women's organization has launched fundraising to raise $7.8m (about sh28bn) for the construction of Imara Women Centre (IWC), which will also be the organization's permanent home.

While launching what they called their corporate brand at Serena Hotel Kampala, on Wednesday, the Minister of State Privatization and Investment, Evelyn Anite noted that the center is very important because it will broaden the scope given the permanent home and space for all women in Uganda.

She said Imara is a brainchild for FOWODE which was hatched five years ago and everyone knows the role it has played in inspiring women in empowering women to join politics, adding if realized the center will be a safe place for both women and girls.

She cited women like the now Executive Director of UNAIDS, Eng. Winnie Byanyima, First Deputy Prime Minister and former speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, the former Ethics Minister Miria Matembe and former Leader of Opposition, Winnie Kiiza, and many other young people “like me”.

1. Evelyn Anite Minister of State for Finance, and Investment interacting with FOWODE ED, Patricia Munabi during the launch of Imara Women’s Centre in Kampala. (Photo by Godiver Asege)

“At the age of 25, FOWODE picked me up and trained me and gave me the skills and many other politicians. Many other politicians, not all of them end up in politics, but some of them go into business and become women of purpose in the community,” she said.

She noted that given the growing population of women and the challenges they keep on facing is still huge, stressing that there is no better place than Imara for all women to come together and get groomed, and mentored into better leaders of tomorrow.

“The rural women down the villages benefit from the works of FOWODE, by the leaders they train. I remember in my class that I went to at FOWODE, I remember young girls who never went to school and were teaching about Gender Based Violence, and how women have to report it. Some of the women don’t know how and where to report rape or defilement cases, and when they are beaten by their husbands,” she added.

She said the center will help to bring in more women to learn because all training, workshops, and conferences will be held at the center unlike before.

“When we have this women's center we will save and earn more money from the facility. It helps more young women to come and gain from this training. This is very exciting because it is going to continue the dream and vision of FOWODE,” she added.

Anite, who was also chief fundraiser, managed to raise sh7m. She contributed sh5m and pledged to hit sh50m by March 2023.

The FOWODE Executive Director, Patricia Munabi said the center is a visible embodiment through which they will be able to continue to work pushing for women’s rights and gender equality.

“It will also be a base from which we can strategize, reflect and also launch campaigns as we advance women’s empowerment and gender equality,” she noted.

2. (L-R) Sylvia Muwebwa Vice-Chair FOWODE, Evelyn Anite Minister of State for Finance, and Investment, Patricia Munabi ED FOWODE interacting. (Photo by Godiver Asege)

She explained that over the past 27 years, FOWODE has grown and been able to contribute to many women in the public sphere, contributing to national legislation and giving attention to budgets seen through the Public Finance and Management Act, which provides a certificate for gender and equity.

She said they also lobbied for the establishment of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) which promotes equal opportunities for all men and women. 

“Despite all the achievements, we still see there is a lot more to do. We see there is increasing pushback. So we have a good policy and legislative framework but when it gets to implementation, we continue to see women suffering either because they have no resources or because some stakeholders are not aware of the laws or are not following them and implementing them,” Munabi added.

She also stressed that they realized that their funding continues to reduce as a result of many things happening globally like epidemics, and wars, and had to come up with a sustainable plan.  

“So, we thought the center would help us generate more income to sustain ourselves and reduce our donor dependence,” she noted.

She noted that FOWODE has been able to train about 40,000 women
They intend to raise resources from the private sector, development partners, young people, and even the masses.

Munabi said those who will contribute can use the MTN Merchant Code 614968; or Airtel: 1253752; or contribute through Centenary Bank Ntinda Branch on Account No. 3100087060, Ecobank (U) Ltd, Parliament Avenue Branch Account No. 7170005897 all the Account name of Forum for Women and Democracy.

The vice chairperson of FOWODE, Sylvia Muwebwa said they already have two and a half acres of land in Kasangati Gayaza where the center is to be constructed.

The center will consist of a residential block, a gym, health facilities, a dance studio, and accommodation; and a five-floor office block with two floors of lettable space, FOWODE offices space, a library, two auditoriums, a museum, and a restaurant. 

“We are in the first phase of fundraising for the construction of the center at its home in Gayaza, and our construction budget is $7.8m to be raised over five years,” she added.