Women know that in order to transform their communities they must start with mobilization, as consensus building and coalition building are essential to create shifts in mindsets and social norms. Women listen to their communities and families, and can mobilize around the needs of “we” instead of just “I”.
Women make up 49.6% of the world population, yet they only make up 38% of the formal workforce. If women were engaged in the formal economy, it would generate wealth for countries’ GDPs and women could have more legal protection under labor laws. Additionally, the economic inclusion of women creates opportunity for upward mobility in education, business, etc. This creates expertise, income, and financial growth that would have otherwise not existed, were the woman to rely solely on her husbands’ or family’s income.
Women make up roughly half of the population, and their needs, experiences, voices, and concerns need to be represented at decision making tables.
Increased civic engagement of women has the power to normalize women in leadership roles, creating role models for young girls and shifting the narrative around what leadership looks like for all. When there is a propositional representation of women in political leadership, the laws, leadership, and decisions reflecting the needs and experiences of women and girls are met.
By end of 2022, we have mobilized 9,309 women and girls in 19 sub counties in Kasese district to form and join Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA), and boasted them with seed capital to increase their loans capacity.
Several women and girls are now involved in small scale businesses that have helped them to send their children back to school, increase their personal and household incomes.