The National Association of Women of Uganda (NAWOU), an umbrella organization that brings together women led Non -Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), on Wednesday called for concerted efforts to end the negative effects caused by climate Change.
Ms. Lucy Imalingat, NAWOU Programme Officer, in her opening remarks at a one day meeting held at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala, told women-led NGOs and CSOs to embrace teamwork if they are to save Uganda from the adverse effects of Climate Change. She said, as mothers of the Nation, women play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change’s negative effects, through promotion of tree planting and controlling soil erosion to guarantee positive livelihoods for future generations.
“I hope to get good results from this engagement. This meeting is about strengthening coordination of women led projects as far as climate change mitigation is concerned”, she said.
A Presentation by Ms. Nivatiti Nandujja, a member of NAWOU,revealed that many Ugandans are still not aware of the negative impact of climate change because of negative narratives built around CSOs and NGOs coordination. She in addition, said media practitioners have little knowledge on matters pertaining to climate change and called for stakeholders to train media on climate change mitigation measures.
She highlighted challenges facing women led CSOs and NGOs to include; inadequate capacity to access finance for funding climate change programs and the personalization of reports by some CSOs.
Ms. Annet Kabarungi, the Assistant Commissioner, Gender and Women Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development, said women-led organizations have what it takes to uplift the wellbeing of Ugandans in need of help. She pledged for her ministry’s total support towards women’s effort to mitigate climate change.
“What kills coordination structures is the scramble for resources by various women-led CSOs. Each of you should have a work plan and priorities”, she advised the women.
Ms. Elone Ainebyona, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Technical Advisor, called on Women to also address challenges related to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Genital Mutilation (SGM) in addition to climate change mitigation measures.
“It’s an honor for me to be part of this workshop as a woman. Our interest in GIZ is that this coordination of women groups will stem GBV and SMG in addition to climate change mitigation”, she said.
She also advised women to stand together during 2026 election campaigns to protect women from volatile times.
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