The Transformative Power of Women in Leading Environmental Conservation.
Through SCENE’s Topowa conversations, the Bukyanagandi Women’s Group in Bufuta, Butagaya Sub-County, Jinja District, have enhanced their access to civic information. The group, consisting of 30 women, traditionally meet weekly to update their savings records. However, during discussions on voter education and the need for national IDs, the women realized they lacked key civic information particularly news about electoral processes like voter registration and updates; because they didn’t own radios.
Driven by this realization, the group made a collective decision to prioritize purchasing radios as tools for voter education. They introduced a structured approach to gathering the necessary funds by contributing 1,000 Ugandan shillings at every meeting, which amounted to 30,000 shillings per session. By the end of each month, this system allowed them to purchase three portable radio sets for three different members. By September 2024, they had successfully acquired 15 radios for half of the group’s members. These radios, selected for their portability, have enabled members to stay informed even while working in their gardens.
This initiative has boosted the group’s engagement with civic matters. Access to timely news updates has empowered women to remain informed about electoral timelines, registration processes, and other national issues. The discussions within the Topowa meetings became richer and more informed, as the women could now contribute to debates with up-to-date information from their radios. As a result, the group has developed a stronger sense of ownership over their civic duties, and they continue to build a collective approach to community education. This story highlights SCENE’s impact in facilitating grassroots empowerment.
