Advocacy and Influencing

What AWYAD does in Advocacy and influencing

AWYAD engages in comprehensive advocacy and influencing activities across various domains, focusing on the rights and well-being of women, children, and youth. Our work spans several key areas, leveraging community engagement, policy advocacy, and media outreach to create meaningful change. Below is a detailed overview of AWYAD’s advocacy and influencing efforts.

1. Women rights and policy advocacy

AWYAD’s advocacy work on women’s rights and policy focuses on several key areas, including Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), the right to freedom from violence, abuse, and exploitation, and gender equality and equity in social, economic, and political affairs. This multifaceted approach involves community campaigns and dialogues, engagement with duty bearers at both district and national levels, and extensive media engagements.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)

AWYAD’s advocacy in SRHR involves comprehensive education and awareness campaigns to inform women and girls about their reproductive health rights. This includes information on family planning, safe motherhood, and access to reproductive health services. AWYAD conducts community dialogues where women and girls can discuss SRHR issues openly, share their experiences, and learn from healthcare professionals about safe practices and available services. To ensure policy changes and better implementation of SRHR policies, AWYAD engages with local and national government officials, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. These engagements often include roundtable discussions, workshops, and policy briefings aimed at influencing legislation and improving the delivery of reproductive health services. By involving duty bearers, AWYAD works to ensure that the rights of women and girls are recognized and protected in healthcare policies and practices.

Right to Freedom from Violence, Abuse, and Exploitation:

AWYAD’s advocacy efforts in this area focus on raising awareness about the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence (GBV) and advocating for stronger protective measures and support systems for survivors. Community campaigns are a critical component, where AWYAD organizes events such as marches, public lectures, and theater performances to highlight the issue of GBV and encourage community members to take a stand against it. Engagement with duty bearers is another essential aspect of this advocacy. AWYAD regularly meets with district and national officials to discuss the implementation of laws and policies designed to protect women and girls from violence and exploitation. These meetings aim to push for more effective enforcement of existing laws and the development of new policies where gaps exist.

Gender Equality and Equity in Social, Economic, and Political Affairs

AWYAD promotes gender equality and equity through initiatives designed to empower women and girls economically, socially, and politically. This includes campaigns to promote women’s participation in decision-making processes at all levels of society. AWYAD conducts leadership training and capacity-building workshops for women and girls, encouraging them to take active roles in their communities and beyond. Through community dialogues, AWYAD facilitates discussions about the barriers women face in achieving equality and how these can be overcome. These dialogues often lead to the formation of women’s groups and networks that advocate for their rights and interests. At the district and national levels, AWYAD engages with policymakers to advocate for laws and policies that promote gender equality. This includes lobbying for equal access to education, employment opportunities, and political participation. AWYAD also works with businesses and organizations to promote workplace policies that support gender equality, such as equal pay for equal work and measures to prevent sexual harassment.

Media Engagements

AWYAD uses media platforms extensively to amplify their advocacy efforts. This includes radio and TV programs, as well as social media campaigns, to reach a broader audience and raise awareness about women’s rights issues. On radio and TV, AWYAD hosts talk shows and discussions featuring experts, activists, and survivors, providing a platform for sharing information and experiences. Social media campaigns are designed to engage younger audiences and create viral content that spreads awareness and mobilizes support for women’s rights. Through these comprehensive advocacy efforts, AWYAD strives to create a society where women and girls are empowered, protected, and given equal opportunities to thrive in all aspects of life. By combining community engagement, policy advocacy, and media outreach, AWYAD ensures that the voices of women and girls are heard and that their rights are upheld.

2. Children’s rights and policy advocacy

AWYAD’s advocacy work on children’s rights and policy focuses on several key areas, including the right to education, the right to protection from violence, abuse, exploitation, or neglect, and the right to be heard. These efforts are carried out through a combination of community campaigns, dialogues in schools and communities, engagement with duty bearers at various levels, and extensive media engagements. Below is a detailed explanation of AWYAD’s advocacy in these areas involving children, especially girls.

Right to Education

AWYAD champions the right to education for all children, with a particular focus on ensuring that girls have equal access to quality education. To achieve this, AWYAD conducts community campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of education for girls. These campaigns often involve community leaders, parents, and teachers, emphasizing the long-term benefits of educating girls, including improved health, economic opportunities, and community development.

In schools, AWYAD organizes dialogues and workshops to address barriers to education, such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and economic constraints. These sessions aim to create a supportive environment where girls feel safe and encouraged to pursue their education. AWYAD also works to establish or strengthen school clubs that focus on girls’ education, providing peer support and mentorship.

Engagement with duty bearers is a critical component of this advocacy. AWYAD regularly meets with local, district, and national education authorities to advocate for policies that promote gender equality in education. This includes pushing for the implementation of laws that prohibit child marriage and other practices that hinder girls’ education. AWYAD also collaborates with schools to develop and implement policies that ensure a safe and inclusive learning environment for all children.

Right to Protection from Violence, Abuse, Exploitation, or Neglect

AWYAD’s advocacy in this area focuses on creating safe environments where children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Community campaigns are designed to raise awareness about the different forms of violence and exploitation that children may face, and to promote protective measures. These campaigns involve community members, including parents, teachers, and local leaders, and often include educational materials, workshops, and public discussions.

In schools, AWYAD implements programs that educate children about their rights and how to seek help if they experience violence or abuse. This includes training for teachers and school staff on recognizing and responding to signs of abuse and creating a safe and supportive school culture. AWYAD also establishes child protection committees in schools to monitor and address any incidents of violence or abuse.

Engagement with duty bearers at the community, district, and national levels involves advocating for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and policies. AWYAD works with law enforcement, social services, and other relevant authorities to ensure that cases of child abuse and exploitation are promptly and effectively addressed. This advocacy also includes pushing for the establishment and funding of child protection services and shelters.

Right to Be Heard

AWYAD emphasizes the importance of children’s voices being heard in matters that affect them. This involves creating platforms where children can express their views and participate in decision-making processes. Community dialogues and school programs are key components of this advocacy, providing opportunities for children to share their experiences and opinions. In schools, AWYAD supports the establishment of student councils and other participatory structures that give children a voice in school governance. These councils enable students to discuss issues that affect their education and well-being and to work with school administrators to address these issues. AWYAD also organizes forums and workshops where children can learn about their rights and how to advocate for themselves. Engagement with duty bearers includes advocating for policies and practices that ensure children’s participation in community and national decision-making processes. AWYAD works with local and national governments to promote the inclusion of children’s perspectives in the development and implementation of policies that affect them. This advocacy also involves pushing for the establishment of child-friendly complaint and feedback mechanisms that allow children to report issues and provide input on services and programs.

Media Engagements

AWYAD utilizes various media platforms to amplify their advocacy efforts for children’s rights. This includes radio and TV programs, as well as social media campaigns, to reach a broader audience and raise awareness about the rights of children. On radio and TV, AWYAD hosts talk shows and discussions featuring experts, activists, and children themselves, providing a platform for sharing information and experiences. Social media campaigns are designed to engage younger audiences and create viral content that spreads awareness and mobilizes support for children’s rights. Through these comprehensive advocacy efforts, AWYAD works to create a society where children’s rights are recognized, respected, and upheld. By combining community engagement, policy advocacy, and media outreach, AWYAD ensures that the voices of children, especially girls, are heard and that their rights to education, protection, and participation are fully realized.

3. Youth Rights and Policy Advocacy

AWYAD’s advocacy for youth rights and policy focuses on the right to participation in decision-making, the right to quality education, and the right to decent employment. These efforts involve engaging youth, particularly women and girls, through dialogues with duty bearers at district and national levels, and extensive media engagements.

Right to Participation in Decision-Making

AWYAD strongly believes in the empowerment of youth by ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes. This advocacy involves organizing youth engagement dialogues where young people can interact directly with duty bearers at district and national levels. These dialogues provide a platform for youth to express their views, concerns, and suggestions on issues that affect their lives. Through structured discussions and workshops, AWYAD helps youth develop the skills needed to effectively participate in these dialogues, including communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills.

To further promote youth participation, AWYAD supports the formation and strengthening of youth councils and committees. These bodies serve as official platforms where youth can regularly engage with local government officials and other stakeholders to influence policy and decision-making. By ensuring that these councils include a significant representation of young women, AWYAD works to amplify the voices of young women in the political and social spheres.

Right to Quality Education

AWYAD’s advocacy for quality education focuses on ensuring that all youth, especially girls, have access to inclusive and equitable education. This involves campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of education and the barriers that prevent girls from attending school, such as cultural norms, early marriage, and economic constraints. AWYAD organizes community dialogues that involve parents, teachers, and community leaders to address these barriers and promote the value of educating girls. In collaboration with educational authorities, AWYAD advocates for the implementation of policies that enhance the quality of education. This includes pushing for improved school infrastructure, better teacher training, and the provision of learning materials.

Right to Decent Employment

AWYAD’s advocacy for decent employment focuses on creating opportunities for youth to gain meaningful and sustainable employment. This involves engaging with businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders to promote policies and programs that support youth employment. AWYAD advocates for fair labor practices, equal pay, and safe working conditions, particularly for young women who are often vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination in the workforce. To address the specific needs of young women, AWYAD advocates for the inclusion of gender-responsive policies in employment programs. This includes measures such as maternity leave, flexible working hours, and workplace harassment policies. By working with employers to implement these policies, AWYAD ensures that young women can pursue careers without facing undue barriers or discrimination.

Media Engagements

AWYAD uses various media platforms to amplify their advocacy efforts for youth rights. This includes radio and TV programs, as well as social media campaigns, to reach a wider audience and raise awareness about the rights of youth. On radio and TV, AWYAD hosts talk shows and discussions featuring experts, policymakers, and youth themselves, providing a platform for sharing information and experiences. Social media campaigns are designed to engage younger audiences and create viral content that spreads awareness and mobilizes support for youth rights. Through these comprehensive advocacy efforts, AWYAD works to create an environment where the rights of youth, particularly women and girls, are recognized, respected, and upheld. By combining community engagement, policy advocacy, and media outreach, AWYAD ensures that the voices of young people are heard and that their rights to participation, education, and employment are fully realized.

4. Humanitarian Advocacy

AWYAD is deeply committed to humanitarian advocacy most especially the localization of humanitarian aid, advocating for more equitable and effective partnerships and funding models at local, national, and global levels. This commitment is expressed through active participation in various platforms and initiatives aimed at transforming the humanitarian system to be more inclusive and responsive to local needs.

At the local level, AWYAD engages in localization advocacy through the Western Uganda Humanitarian Platform. This platform serves as a collaborative forum where local organizations, community leaders, and stakeholders come together to discuss and address the unique humanitarian challenges faced by communities in Western Uganda. AWYAD leverages this platform to highlight the strengths and capacities of local actors, advocating for increased recognition and support from international partners. Through regular meetings, workshops, and community consultations, AWYAD ensures that the voices of local communities are heard and that their insights and expertise are integrated into humanitarian response plans. This localized approach fosters ownership and sustainability, as solutions are tailored to the specific context and driven by those most affected by the issues at hand.

At the national level, AWYAD’s advocacy efforts are channeled through influential initiatives such as the Charter for Change, the National Reference Group, and the Grand Bargain. The Charter for Change is a global initiative that calls on international NGOs to commit to supporting local and national actors in leading humanitarian response efforts. AWYAD actively participates in this initiative by sharing best practices, developing capacity-building programs, and advocating for policy changes that promote local leadership. Through the National Reference Group, AWYAD collaborates with other national organizations to influence national policies and strategies, ensuring that they reflect the principles of localization and equitable partnerships. This involves engaging with government officials, participating in policy dialogues, and providing evidence-based recommendations to strengthen national humanitarian frameworks.

The Grand Bargain, an agreement between some of the largest donors and humanitarian organizations, aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian aid. AWYAD’s participation in the Grand Bargain focuses on advocating for quality funding, which includes flexible and multi-year funding approaches that allow local organizations to plan and implement more sustainable programs. By sharing case studies and data on the impact of such funding models, AWYAD demonstrates the benefits of providing local actors with the resources and flexibility they need to respond to emergencies and build resilience.

AWYAD also advocates for anticipatory action, integrating technology, and improving programming flexibility to enhance the responsiveness and effectiveness of humanitarian interventions. This involves promoting the use of early warning systems, data analytics, and innovative technologies to predict and prepare for humanitarian crises before they occur. AWYAD works with technology partners and other stakeholders to develop and implement these tools, ensuring that local communities have the information and resources they need to act swiftly and mitigate the impact of disasters.

At the global level, AWYAD engages in advocacy through international forums, conferences, and networks, raising awareness about the importance of localization and equitable partnerships. By participating in global discussions and sharing experiences from Uganda, AWYAD contributes to the broader movement towards a more inclusive and effective humanitarian system. This global advocacy is complemented by strategic partnerships with international organizations and donors, aimed at building a supportive environment for localization initiatives.

Through these multi-level advocacy efforts, AWYAD strives to create a humanitarian system that is more accountable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of local communities. By championing the principles of localization, equitable partnerships, quality funding, and anticipatory action, AWYAD ensures that humanitarian aid is delivered more effectively and sustainably, ultimately leading to better outcomes for those in need.

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