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!

The assessment offers a series of measures for re forming Ethiopian law to ensure that laws are gender sensitive and more effective at ensuring gender equal ity and non-discrimination. Most notable is that a total of 5 laws or provisions must be repealed in whole or in part; 26 laws must be revised or amended and two (2) new laws must be enacted to bring Ethiopia’s legislative framework in line with its regional and international obligations on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The report also emphasizes the need to prioritize the implementation of national laws that comply with gender equality standards, and in this context, recommends one policy measure to ensure that laws fully deliver on women’s rights

This guide is designed to increase the understanding of the legal obligations of countries in the West and Central Africa (WCA) region to achieve gender equality in decision-making. It focuses on strengthening efforts to improve the legal framework in the region to ensure that laws are clearly drafted, implementable and effective. Special focus is devoted to the processes by which laws supporting political participation of women are developed, negotiated, drafted, passed and implemented. It aims to strengthen law-making processes that build and secure the legal rights of women who want to run for elections and who are ready to take over leadership positions in their parliaments and governments. Legal instruments are presented that can be used to advance the political participation of women.The comparative experiences presented in this guide address both examples of good practices and laws that have failed because their regulations are imprecise, unclear lack effective sanctions

This publication describes the UN Women Rwanda Office's effort in dealing with Gender-Based Violence (GBV) victims using different approaches in both GBV prevention and response. It also provides success stories from different beneficiaries in relation to legal assistance which showed that in most cases it requires strong courage from the victims to bring the perpetrators to justice especially in the context of negative cultural beliefs, women's economic dependence, fear of discrimination and stigmatization among other challenges. The document also highlights the role of mobile legal clinic in increasing the proximity of legal services to the community including awareness-raising and legal literacy.

This analytical study covered ten countries in the region and looked at issues of access to justice for women and girls in East and Southern Africa.

The Gender Profile gives an overview of Gender Gaps by assessing policy and legal frameworks, the institutional and human resources capacity, the socio-economic impacts of Covid-19 on women and men and recommends key areas of strategic actions to address gender gaps and inequalities

An assessment of the Zimbabwe national statistical strategy from a gender perspective for Monitoring and Evaluation Report

The purpose of this study was to develop a variety of texts documenting case studies of good and promising practices in the area of the protection of rights and access to services for women with disabilities in East and Southern Africa (ESA) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is a reality that our region carries the highest prevalence of child marriage and female genital mutilation in the world, impacting millions of our girls. These harmful traditional practices have devastating impact including loss of life, risk of disease such as fistula, loss of education and life opportunities, trauma and other psycho-social impacts resulting in deepening poverty and perpetuating a cycle of abuse. This calls on us as traditional and religious leaders to urgently assume our role as protectors of our children. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the prevalence of genderbased violence in our countries and communities.

The UN Women WCARO annual report aims to share information about the regional office's activities on women empowerment and gender equality in 2020. The said year has been a particularly difficult year around the world with the COVID-19 pandemic. In West and Central Africa (WCA), women and girls were particularly vulnerable to the crisis. To counter these burdens and build medium and long- term recovery measures, the UN Women WCA Regional Office successfully provided multi-faceted assistance...

This publication highlights findings from the Zanzibar SDGs Gender Indicators Study in the form of infographics. The infographics showcase findings from each of the sectors covered in the report namely: Poverty and Hunger, Health, Decent Work, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Key Messages and the COVID-19 Context, and Recommendations.

This continental study provides a contextual analysis of the forced displacement of women and girls in Africa based on first hand data from field visits made to the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. The analysis provides the key priority considerations for the realisation of durable solutions for refugees, IDPs and returnees in Africa and makes recommendations for actions by the AU, Member States and relevant stakeholders within the context of AGA and APSA.

This continental study provides a contextual analysis of the forced displacement of women and girls in Africa based on first hand data from field visits made to the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. The analysis provides the key priority considerations for the realisation of durable solutions for refugees, IDPs and returnees in Africa and makes recommendations for actions by the AU, Member States and relevant stakeholders within the context of AGA and APSA.

The policy paper assesses the state of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Africa in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Informed by evidence from the five African Union (AU) regions, it outlines some of the initiatives implemented in AU Member States. The paper also proposes recommendations towards multi-sectoral response and recovery efforts that address GBV as well as the related needs of women and girls in Africa.

The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic must be viewed with a gendered lens to protect women and girls and address the increase in VAWG during this pandemic. In Ethiopia, this can be accomplished with accelerated and concerted efforts of the Government and the United Nations, in partnership with other development agencies and national civil society organizations. This Policy brief presents overview of the increased in GBV in Ethiopia and give recommendations on measures to be taken to address the issue.

The Abridged version of the Perceptions Study on Social Norms in Malawi serves as an executive summary of the baseline study for the EVAW thematic component of the Women’s Empowerment Programme (WEP) 2018-2021. This study revealed various perceptions of social norms around VAWG in Malawi. Particularly, it shows how pervasive social norms support gender inequality and VAWG, including harmful practices. The study focused on five districts – Dedza, Karonga, Mangochi, Mzimba and Salima – in Malawi. This study can be used to inform policy dialogue and programme development, including where and how UN Women and its partners can implement behaviour change projects aimed at promoting favourable social norms and attitudes at community levels, and to formulate key messages for communication initiatives on women’s rights, gender equality and VAWG.

Inside this issue : Women Make it Happen! Passage of the VAPP Bill in Nigeria - Call for Social Protection for Nigerian Women - Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill passed into Law - Women’s Situation Room Receives National Award - Advocacy Visit of the Wife of Ebonyi State Governor - UN Women Partners with INTEL to Support Women and Girl’s Access to the Internet