________________

To continue supporting the efforts of Ugandan feminists, the Embassy of France in Uganda launched an initiative aimed at fostering an intergenerational and creative feminist movement.

The program titled, ‘For an intergenerational and creative feminist movement,’ was allocated a budget of 500,000 euros for 2022-2023 through France’s Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects instrument (FSPI).

The pilot projects which were funded addressed emerging challenges within the three sectors of, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and gender and climate change.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, His Excellence, Xavier Sticker, Ambassador of France to Uganda, said that in 2018, France adopted a Feminist Diplomacy following the examples of Sweden and Canada.

“France has become the leading country providing funding for feminist organizations in Southern countries, with support since 2020 to over 1,000 feminist civil society organizations in 73 countries, to the tune of 133 million euros. This project was implemented to foster the structuring of a more intergenerational and creative Ugandan feminist movement,” H.E Sticker, said.

He noted that through the project, 33 young feminists had their knowledge of feminist principles, and their advocacy and public speaking skills improved. 9 youth associations had their internal capacities strengthened, especially capacities to fundraise and manage grants.

“9 micro-projects were implemented in all parts of Uganda, for instance, the production of media stories to amplify the voices of survivors of Gender Based Violence and other women were trained in climate-sensitive farming,” He said.

Speaking at the event, Fatia Kiyange, the Executive Director of the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), said that through the project District officials in Zombo appreciated invisible issues of sexual reproductive health rights for young women living with disabilities.

“Zombo district started providing special delivery beds that were more friendly to girls living with disabilities,” Kiyange said.

Liliane Adriko, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers, said that the grant helped them to create a safe space for women who were victims of gender-based violence.