Empowering Change: A Collaborative Women’s Day Celebration, 2024
Katosi Women Development Trust (KWDT) was honored to be selected as one of the beneficiaries of the Change the Game Academy training under the Uganda National NGO Forum. Two members from KWDT participated in the 5-day training program, focusing on mobilizing support and local fundraising. After the training, I shared the insights, beauty, and power of local fundraising with my colleagues.
Initially, we were uncertain about where to begin. However, our board of directors encouraged us to undertake a significant initiative for International Women’s Day, recognizing our role as the leading women’s group in the district. In our 27 years of existence, we had never celebrated International Women’s Day collectively with all 40 women’s groups. Typically, celebrations were isolated within individual groups or included only a few members.
During a coordination committee meeting, which brings together the four leaders of each women’s group, the board’s challenge to commemorate Women’s Day more inclusively was discussed. The primary concern was financing. Inspired by our training, the staff shared local fundraising knowledge with the women, who enthusiastically embraced the challenge and believed they could make the celebration grand.
The plan was developed immediately. The women took the lead, forming a committee, creating a budget, devising financing strategies, and assigning roles. It was agreed that all necessary resources would be mobilized by the women themselves, utilizing both external and internal sources.
Aligned with the year’s theme, “Invest in Women to Accelerate Progress” the women aimed to highlight their role as drivers of change in the community. The celebration served as a platform to advocate for critical issues, including livelihood enhancement, military brutality on the lake, unfair fishing regulations, human rights violations, and land evictions in fishing communities. These issues were identified through participatory disaster risk assessments conducted by 13 fishing communities.
The rural women took charge, selecting key individuals to join the cause and address the advocacy issues. Among the attendees were women leaders, local community leaders, women advocacy club members, and the area member of parliament. Community leaders pledged their support, and the area member of parliament promised to prioritize the land eviction issue and updated the women on policy developments regarding fishing regulations. He also pledged full support for any advocacy efforts needed.
The celebration was a resounding success, showcasing the women’s fundraising skills and their ability to mobilize resources for a cause. This initiative not only strengthened community bonds but also highlighted the power of local fundraising and collective action.
Story by Ms. Vaal Benjamin, Programs Officer – Katosi Women Development Trust
