Background of OYWAG
Oyam Women and Girls (OYWAG) Champion of Change (CoC) is a community-based organisation (CBO) based at Aber sub-county in Oyam district, Lango sub-region, Northern Uganda. OYWAG was formed in 2020 as a result of an HIV/AIDS project in Aber and Kamdin sub-counties in Oyam district which was funded by PEPFAR and implemented by Friends of Goodwill (FoG). The PEPFAR project ended
but it was realised that there was need to continue engaging the youths especially girls and adolescent women since they had formed groups. In addition, the idea was borne out of the fact that before the PEPFAR project, women and girls led organization was not thought about in the whole Oyam district especially in Aber and Kamdini sub counties. As a result, this led to the birth of OYWAG CoC to in order to join and lead the services delivery for women and girls and children in the community and be the champion in behaviour change and life skills development. Apart from the PEPFAR project, members of OYWAG were also involved in the distribution of mosquito nets, and this was in collaboration between FoG and Peace Corps (Uganda)
Today, OYWAG has 5 women and girls' groups with about 150 members and is operating in 9 parishes in Aber and Kamdini sub-counties. We plan to extend to Amwa and Acimi sub-counties in the near future. OYWAG is registered with Oyam district local government, Kamdini and Aber sub-counties. Profile of OYWAG
Vision
A women and girls-led organisation, providing the necessary resources and opportunities in order for women and girls to reach their full potentials and live their dreams. Mission
To provide support and enhance the capacity of women and girls, for sustainable livelihoods through information sharing and co-ordinated service delivery with different stakeholders so as to build a future in which girls and women have renewed hope and live decently. Core Values
• gender equality (women and girls live free from
discrimination)
• empowerment (women and girls are free to act in their
own best interests)
• training and education (women and girls deserve to lead
full and productive lives through access to training and
education)
• diversity and fellowship (women from different
background and perspectives work together to improve
the lives of women and girls)
• transparency and accountability (women and girls
encouraged practice the three pillar of democracy i.e. active participation, transparency and accountability)
Governance and Leadership
It comprise the following organs:
• The Founders of Oyam Women and Girls Champions of
Change
• Board of Trustees (herein referred to as the Board and
abbreviated as BoT) and
• The Secretariat. The Founders of Oyam Women and Girls Champions of Change
• The people who started Oyam Women and Girls
Champions of Change, by developing the vision and the
overall objective of the organisation. Roles and responsibilities:
• Supreme decision making body of Oyam Women and
Girls Champions of Change;
• Provide strategic guidance and advice to the Board and
the Secretariat;
• Solicit reputable persons for appointment to the Board;
• Appoint and disapprove the Board. Board of Trustees (BoT)
The governing body of the organisation and comprise 11 members:
• Chairperson
• Vice-Chairperson
• Co-ordinator/Secretary to the Board
• Treasurer
• Girls representative
• Women representative
• Parishes Representatives
• Ordinary members
Secretariat
• It is consist of staff and volunteers and headed by a Co-
ordinator
• It is the programme co-ordinating unit for the
organisation
• The Co-ordinator shall be the secretary to the Board. Competence Statement
As mentioned before, all members and officials of OYWAG participated in the PEPAR funded project in Aber and Kamdini sub-counties for 3 years from 2019 to 2021. The objective of the project was to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention strategies and empower local communities in the Oyam district and Kamdini subcounty to address early marriage, teen pregnancy, gender-based violence and reproductive health. The project was very successful and from the feedback from the youths and beneficiaries, especially girls and young women, it was decided that there should be continuity in the support network hence the birth of OYWAG. In addition to the PEPFAR project, members of OYWAG were also involved in the distribution of mosquito nets, and this was in collaboration between FoG and Peace Corps (Uganda)
