Booklet

Vhembe is Gender Links COE. It is in northern Limpopo. The Integrated Development Plan contains development strategies, programmes and projects.

The designation of gender equality as one of the two global priorities of the Organisation in its medium-term strategy for 2008-2013 has placed this critical objective on the forefront of UNESCO’s strategic focus. This priority will be pursued through a two pronged approach: gender specific programming and gender mainstreaming with action in all of UNESCO’s fields of competence: education, the sciences, culture, and communication.

The foundation gives women the chance to be financially independent and this is the key to higher living standards and stronger economies. The foundation runs a programme mentoring women in business.

Sexual violence in prisons is a reality but it is not often spoken about. This booklet aims to provide information guidelines and support for staff in correctional services to help them prevent and respond to sexual violence in prisons.

This manual introduces the media to women in public life especially those who are aspiring to political leadership positions. The manual was prepared by women who have been in the industry for a long time. By understanding how the media works they will make the job of journalists easier. It is intended to promote balanced reporting.

This publication on the SADC protocol on Gender and Development is produced by MHRRC which is a human rights NGO promoting a human rights culture in Malawi and SADC building capacity in civil society.

This update focuses on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and women’s and girls’ rights and highlights key relevant resources featured in the BRIDGE global resources database. It is the result of a collaboration between BRIDGE and Irise International.
In this issue: Women have a right to menstruate in dignity and to know about their own bodies. Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is a neglected women-specific sanitation need in its own right but can also act as a means of increasing girls’ school engagement and creating a foundation for good reproductive health choices throughout their lives.

Staff at Gender Links share their learning over the previous year as part of ongoing individual organizational growth.

The Ugandan government has tried to instil gender parity on all fronts including women’s participation in public administration and institutions.
The ratio of women to men in the public sphere has not matched the demographic gender representation of 51%. Many challenges effect the aspirations of women in public administration at both local and national level. The bulk of women are concentrated in the lower echelons with only a few occupying managerial positions.
The ACFODE dialogues aim to create a forum for women in public administration to enhance their knowledge and collaboration and support women’s participation in public administration.

This study report presents findings of the Performance Audit of the Youth MPs in the 9th Parliament. The
audit was commissioned with the Partnership of AYDL and UYONET. Specifically, the study sought to: 1) To
assess the realization as well as unfilled gaps of the objective principles underlying youth representation
as a special interest group in the National Legislative body; 2) Assess how the Youth Representatives have
used the political space available in parliament to ensure that the outcomes of parliament’s legislative,
appropriation and oversight activities address the youth agenda in Uganda; 3) Identify and examine youth
specific outcomes of parliamentary proceedings and processes; 4) Examine the existing mechanisms of
communication, engagement and accountability between Youth Representatives in Parliament and the
youth constituency; Assess the extent to which the youth have supported and promoted the effective
performance of Youth Representatives in parliament; 5) To assess the challenges that undermine the
effectiveness of Youth MPs and how such challenges can be addressed; and 6) make recommendations
on how youth focused organizations can support the strengthening of the political voice of the youth in
the national legislative process.

In order to answer these objectives, the study was designed to use a qualitative methodology in which structural and processes factors relating to youth MP’s performance was interrogated using a systems approach to analysis. The study reviewed hansard, conducted key informant interviews with Youth MPs and CSO stakeholders at national level, FGDs and FDDs with the youth leaders at district level. For representation, the study covered field data collection from the four regions, with each being represented by three districts.

This study reveals that though the constitutional provisions for youth representation as an interest group
provide an opportunity for youth to articulate their interests in the national legislative body, fusion of
the interest group with the government creates opportunities for co-option of youth leadership by
the government. Under such contexts, the youth as an interest group cannot challenge the status-quo
in terms of power relations that define their vulnerability in the first place. Yet despite this technical
challenge, this audit study reveals that a number of youth focused outcomes of the legislative body have
occurred. These include the Students Loan Scheme, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and the reversed
Youth Enterprise Scheme among others. In all these initiatives the role of the youth MPs is evident both
in the conception and reform.