Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Uganda Chapter is one of the 35 chapters of Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), an indigenous Pan-African Non-Government Organization (NGO) started in 1992. Nvumetta Ruth Kavuma, former woman MP Kalangala District and still woman activists for many causes related to the girl-child and development. Rose Izizinga is also President of the African Convention of Principals and Chairperson of National Association of Secondary School Head teachers of Uganda. Proscovia Njuki, who was the first woman engineer in Uganda; the Secretary is Mrs. Sylvia Ntambi a lawyer and the Treasurer is Ms. Edith Mbabazi, a lecturer at Kyambogo University. Esther Mwambu the Senior Publicity Officer Parliament of Uganda is the FAWEU Publicity Secretary. The Committee also has four regional representatives; Northern region – Mrs. Ayiseni Margaret, Head teacher Muni Girls’; Central region – Mrs. Christina Makumbi, Western region – Mrs. Christine Byarugaba, Director WARMCE LTD –and Eastern Region – Dr. Josephine Akihire, Lecturer Makerere University is representative of organizations while Mrs. Theopista Ssekito, a banker represents individuals. Dr. Jane Egau represents Ministry of Education while Ms. Deborah Iyute is a representative of people with disabilities. The Secretariat takes care of the day to day activities. Christine Semambo Sempebwa works with a dedicated team at the National Secretariat. The Programmes team is made up of; Ms. Dorothy Akankwasa Muhumure the Programme Manager, Ms. Christine Karungi Rwankote the Senior Programme Officer, Mr. Julius Tukesiga the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Programme Officers; Ms. Josephine Pedun, Mr. Malcolm Mpamizo and Ms. Olivia Nantume. The Finance and Administration Officer, Ms. Florence Nabende, Assistant Accountant Mr. Job Osuret and Accounts Assistant Mr. Steve Musia. Offering support across the board is the Administrative Assistant, Ms. Nanfuka Victoria. The Secretariat is supported by a number of volunteers and interns; currently we have the following volunteers; Ms. Caroline Mutesi, Ms. Jane Olowo, Ms. Patience Ashemeire, Ms. Zaam Kabakyaki, Ms. Sarah Ndagire and Ms. Deborah Gotto. George William Serugo and Mr. Grace Matovu the drivers and the Office attendant is Ms. Hadija Nantume supported by Annette Nakazibwe. FAWEU being a membership organization also enjoys the various professionalism and skills from her membership. The Executive committee’s role is to ensure smooth running of the NGO on behalf of the General Assembly. The Board members chair the various FAWEU sub-committees and are involved in the mobilization of resources, membership and partners, also initiation, implementation and monitoring of programmes. The constitution stipulates quarterly meetings, though meetings are called by the chairperson as and when required. Membership
FAWEU is a membership organization who has over 428 members (from the 36 individuals at the inauguration) including full (women committed to the cause and organizations with similar mission) and associate (men) members. The members are people who are passionate about girls’ education; these cut across the professional board and are from all over the country and even beyond. Some examples of categories represented include; teachers, lecturers at universities, women advocates for girls’ education, Members of Parliament, business people, social and development workers, media practitioners and other professions. There is also a special category of community membership to attract community based women and men who are committed to promoting girls’ and women’s education. Organization members include; Plan International, Save the Children Fund, Hope Case Foundation (all of which target disadvantaged children), St Eliza Pre-nursing school focuses on school dropouts to prepare them for nursing college and National Union of Women with Disabilities. Women of Distinction and Models of Excellence Initiative
FAWE Uganda launched the Women of Distinction (WoD) and Models of Excellence (MoE) Initiative in 1999 to recognize high profile women leaders and achievers respectively. They are recognized for what they have accomplished before and after attaining their high status, and for what they will yet achieve. The Women of Distinction (15) are outstanding women leaders strategically positioned to promote girls’ and women’s education by their achievement and status, for example, Mrs. Sarah Nyendwoha Ntiro, the first woman graduate in East and Central Africa and the Woman of many firsts, Dr Josephine Nambooze, the first woman medial doctor in Uganda, Dr Maxine Ankrah, lecturer, activist and consultant, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Kamuli district and Ms. Rose Mukandori (RIP) longstanding Headmistress and counselor. International Women of Distinction resident or working in Uganda include: H.E Saskia De Lang, former Royal Netherlands Ambassador in Uganda; Mrs. Corry Harris, who has worked with FAWEU as an International Development Consultant, Mrs. Rhonda Ferguson-Augustus, who has worked as First Secretary, US Embassy. The Models of Excellence (44) on the other hand are exceptional career achievers against all odds, who are committed to working with FAWE Uganda to mentor girls and women for excellence. FAWEU GOAL
FAWE Uganda’s goal is “to accelerate female participation in education, and aiming at closing the gender gap within the education system at all levels.” FAWE Uganda spearheads girls’ education and empowerment by contributing to the EFA Goals, in particular to gender parity and equity in education. FAWEU pursues her mission by:
• Influencing policy formulation, adoption and implementation in promotion of girls’ education.
• Advocating for increased investment in girls and women’s education and reducing the gender gap in education by mainstreaming gender at all levels.
• Empowering girls to achieve through education.
• Demonstrating models of best practices for replication.
• Building FAWEU capacity to manage her program of work.
• Institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation for improved programming
FAWEU STRATEGIC PLAN
FAWEU has a Strategic Plan that runs every 5 years. The current plan proposes the development of a comprehensive girls’ education programme at district level. The strategic targets include the following:
• Girls successfully completing school
• Reduced gender gap in education
• Increased participation, especially by women, in girls education
• More girls accessing and completing higher levels of education
• More women in leadership positions
• Institutional sustainability. To enhance its work at programme level, FAWEU has working committees composed of its members who offer voluntary services in support of the overall FAWE mission and vision. The committees include;
