29th of June 2022, the electoral law of DRC was enacted by the CENI (National Independent Electoral Commission). Article 13 paved the way for equality in Congolese politics, with new voluntary incentive mechanisms to encourage women's political participation. Nevertheless, the law differs from the practice and women continue to represent only 10% of the National Assembly. This policy brief will offer a summary of the changes the electoral reform has brought about, and will reflect upon its evolution, achievements, and the likely challenges for the 2023 elections.

The intention of the book is three-fold: 1) to help those who have not yet made positive behavioral changes by providing motivation and insight, 2) to assist those who are currently attempting to change behaviour, and 3) to serve as a source of hope and support for those who have tried and have taken the decision to change but are still facing challenges.

This edition of our quarterly publication, aimed at keeping our esteemed readers abreast with the endeavors of UN Women Uganda, encompasses the period of October through December 2022. Within these pages, we have meticulously curated a selection of activities undertaken by our organization, as well as providing a platform for the voices of those whom we have had the privilege of serving, to be heard. We trust that the contents of this newsletter will prove to be both enlightening and informative. Enjoy the read!

UN Women together with the Government through the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA) have significant advancements towards new policy developments and /or revision of the existing ones to match with the developments in the country.

6 key recommendations for a gender-responsive social protection regime in Senegal

Lack of adequate data to inform and monitor policies and progress undermines efforts to move forward Africa's gender agenda. The production of gender statistics in the region has been slow due to a combination of factors discussed in this Plan. However, increased interest in gender statistics and the current conducive policy environment for the their integration into statistical databases provide valuable opportunities to further strengthen statistical systems in Africa.

UNWomen, in collaboration with International Medical Corps (IMC), has been implementing a Programme on Women’s Empowerment in Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Rights (POWER) in humanitarian settings in Gambella Region. The purpose of the action research is to document the progress on the SRMNCAH programme implemented in the humanitarian setting, lessons learned from it, gaps in it and efforts required for it. The findings will better inform UN Women and partners working in a humanitarian setting on the current progress and the efforts required to improve SRMNCAH services in the refugee and host communities.

2021 marked the end of the latest UN Women Strategic Plan, and during the year UN Women’s West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) and Country Offices/Non-Resident Agencies continued to strengthen a comprehensive set of global norms, policies, and standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women; help end all forms of violence against women and girls; foster women’s economic empowerment; encourage and support women to lead; facilitate gender mainstreaming; and support women’s participation in peacebuilding and resilience efforts. Throughout the year, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact West and Central Africa, and women in the region were particularly vulnerable to the crisis.

The policy brief aims to serve as an synthesizes and presents key findings from UN Women-led research; regional online surveys and; advocacy on. making the AfCFTA work for (young) women and (young) women-led businesses, both in the design and implementation of gender-responsive AfCFTA policy reforms and complementary measures, as well as in the soon-to-be negotiated AfCFTA Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.

This study explains why it is important to integrate a gender perspective into assessments of all the SDGs, and also shows how to approach this task as a way to enhance gender mainstreaming across the 2030 Agenda.

The baseline survey on unpaid care work status among women and men in eight districts of Rwanda seeks to understand the care-related dynamics in households, this study utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Drawing on Oxfam’s Household Care Survey (HCS) and the Harvard Analytical Framework (also referred to as the Gender Roles Framework). The survey helps to understand how women, men and children spend their time, how care activities are distributed in the household and the access that households have to basic public services and infrastructure that facilitate their everyday survival. The study also explored the social norms that shape power relations and gender division of care labor.

This study builds on UN Women’s achievements and experience in supporting women and girls during the COVID pandemic within the East and Southern Africa Region and other parts of the world.

The five years in review publication captures the progress made from 2017 to 2021 across its different focus areas: Leadership and Political Participation, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Ending Violence Against Women, Data and Statistics, HIV/AIDS and the response to the unfolding crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study focuses on Uganda and forms part of a series covering 9 countries in East and Southern Africa. It uses existing statistical data to identify the factors that determine whether a young woman or man (aged 15-24) are not in employment, education or training.

This study focuses on Rwanda and forms part of a series covering 9 countries in East and Southern Africa. It uses existing statistical data to identify the factors that determine whether a young woman or man (aged 15-24) are not in employment, education or training.

This study focuses on Namibia and forms part of a series covering 9 countries in East and Southern Africa. It uses existing statistical data to identify the factors that determine whether a young women or man (aged 15-24) are not in employment, education or training. This study focuses on Namibia and forms part of a series covering 9 countries in East and Southern Africa. It uses existing statistical data to identify the factors that determine whether a young women or man (aged 15-24) are not in employment, education or training. 

This study focuses on Malawi and forms part of a series covering 9 countries in East and Southern Africa. It uses existing statistical data to identify the factors that determine whether a young woman or man (aged 15-24) are not in employment, education or training.

This study focuses on Kenya and forms part of a series covering 9 countries in East and Southern Africa. It uses existing statistical data to identify the factors that determine whether a young women or man (aged 15-24) are not in employment, education or training. 

This study focuses on Botswana and forms part of a series covering 9 countries in East and Southern Africa. It uses existing statistical data to identify the factors that determine whether a young woman or man (aged 15-24) are not in employment, education or training.

UN Women amplified women’s role in the COVID-19 response highlighting the significant leadership roles women played in leading the response efforts in materials on COVID-19 prevention disseminated in local languages and hand washing facilities were constructed in 6 elementary schools. 528 returnee migrant women workers from the Middle East and domestic workers across Addis Ababa have been provided with basic sanitation and hygiene training and raising awareness on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women, girls, and vulnerable and marginalized groups.