the role of civil society in promoting women’s right to political participation in uganda (2006 - 2016): a case study of nakawa division, kampala district

Description

This research was concerned with examining the role of civil society (CS) in promoting women‟s right to political participation in Uganda since 2006-2016, Nakawa division, Kampala District. This was the period following the experience of general elections where women participation has been more pronounced over the years. The study‟s objectives included examining the relevant legal and institutional framework pertaining to the right of women to political participation in Uganda, assessing the contribution of civil society towards promotion of the right to political participation of women and the challenges civil society encounters in empowering women politically to participate in Ugandan politics. The study employed the methodology of qualitative and quantitative technique of data collection methods where questionnaires, interviews and group discussion were used. The target group population comprised of civil society organizations involved in promoting women‟s rights, local council leaders and women leaders. The findings of the study were that the civil society plays a significant role in advocating for gender equality and women‟s rights in society while seeking to increase women‟s participation in all decision making organs, women‟s representation in parliament and participation in politics. However, CSOs face challenges of lack of funds, administrative inefficiency, political interference, donor conditionalities and competition among organizations for donor funding. The study therefore recommended that CS needs to overcome these challenges in order to support women‟s political participation. This can be done by improving CSs funding, educating the public through capacity building programmes, by networking with stakeholders with whom the CSs share same interests and holding joint activities for projects sharing similar outcome.