AWAC UGANDA

A PROUD MILESTONE FOR AWAC! We are delighted to announce that AWAC has been granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This milestone strengthens our voice and our ability to connect grassroots realities to global policy corridors. We are ready to take local voices to global spaces and advocate for meaningful change. ✊🏾🌍 #AWACatECOSOC #specialconsultativestatus Check on our website for details: awacuganda.org/awac-granted-…

From manila card practice to leather work: Participants take the next step in shoemaking We concluded the second week of the training with participants progressing from practicing on manila cards to working with leather, a major step towards producing actual shoes. After learning and practicing the basic shoemaking techniques on manila cards last week, participants began working with leather this week, with each participant successfully produced a pair of shoes. This demonstrate their growing understanding of the shoemaking process and their ability to put their newly acquired skills into practice. In the coming weeks, the training will focus on producing different shoe designs suitable for different genders, further equipping participants with practical skills to create a variety of footwear. One step at a time, our participants are turning practice into practical skills and building a foundation for future livelihood opportunities. @Act_Svk @ACTAlliance @whocotuganda @Sida @SwedeninUG

Building on the training sessions held last Friday, the Destiny CHLEG group in Ocea A, Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement commenced the next stage of shoemaking training, focusing on strap measurement, strap cutting, hole punching, and fixing the straps to the upper layer of the shoe. These activities mark an important step towards completing the upper part of the shoemaking design. Participants continue to demonstrate great commitment and enthusiasm throughout the training. The skills acquired will help strengthen their livelihood, promote economic empowerment and create opportunities for income generation. This is particularly important as majority of the participants are now classified under World Food Programme (WFP) category 3, meaning they no longer receive food assistance and must rely on their own livelihood strategies to meet their basic needs @Act_Svk @ACTAlliance @whocotuganda @SwedeninUG @LWF_Uganda @Sida

We wrapped up the week with participants diving into practical work! Today’s focus was on foot measuring, fitting, and shoe size selection. Participants learned how to measure foot length, from the back heel to the longest toe, and foot width, across the widest part of the forefoot. They also explored fitting and allowance, understanding the importance of providing additional space for comfort and natural foot movement. The session further introduced participants to measuring centre line, vamp line, instep heigh, and centre point, building their foundational skills in shoe design and fitting. As we close the week, we take time to pause, reflect, learn, relearn, and unlearn before returning on Monday, ready to build on what we have learned. Every measurement is a step towards better artistry! @Act_Svk @ACTAlliance @SwedeninUG @whocotuganda

This week, under the SAFER HEELs project, we commenced shoemaking training for the two community health and livelihoods enhancement groups (CHLEG) in Ocea and Ofua, Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement. The training is being delivered by Women initiative for Holistic Community Transformation (WHOCOT) Uganda, which aims to equip participants with practical skills to strengthen their livelihoods and economic resilience. It's also expected to create sustainable income-generating opportunities that will support the continued growth of their savings groups. This first week will focus on introducing participants to shoemaking tools and equipment, their uses, and the safety measures required when handling them. Participants were also introduced to key concepts and processes, including offcuts, stitching, joining and assembling, finishing and decoration, stocks and materials selection. These introductory sessions will provide a strong foundation as participants prepare to transition into practical shoemaking. @Act_Svk @ACTAlliance @whocotuganda

Today, we held a Safe Motherhood Community Baraza in Bwaise Kimumbasa, Kampala, as part of our post-International Safe Abortion Day commemorations. In a community where access to sexual and reproductive health services remains a challenge, we came together to have honest conversations about unsafe abortions and the barriers that prevent marginalized women, especially women sex workers, from accessing the information and care they need. We were glad to be joined by women leaders, law enforcement officers, civil society activists and health workers from the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Uganda, alongside women sex workers, community leaders and other stakeholders. The Baraza created a safe space for community members to share their experiences, challenge stigma and misinformation, and explore practical ways to improve access to reproductive health information and services. Beyond the conversations, we also celebrated a victory for women's leadership as two of our members, Nakalanzi Angel and Sarah Nassolo, won elections after participating in AWAC's Feminist SRHR Transformation Leadership sessions last year. Their achievement reminds us that when women are equipped with knowledge, confidence and opportunities to lead, they can help shape decisions that affect their lives and communities. Through the MiPOWER Project, AWAC continues to stand alongside grassroots women sex workers, supporting them to lead advocacy for their SRHR, including access to accurate self-care and post abortion care information. We recognise that sexual violence, stigma, discrimination and exclusion place many women at greater risk, and we believe no woman should be denied care, dignity or compassion because of who she is or what she does. Ending unsafe abortions requires us to listen to women, trust their experiences, challenge harmful stigma and work together to ensure every woman can access the information and care she deserves. #ISAD2026 #SafeMotherhood2026 #EndingUnsafeAbortions #MIPOWERProject #FakeAfricanCharter @amplifyfund

We are thrilled to engage local councilors, and duty bearers in the recent budget conference hosted by Rubaga division. We called for increased prioritisation of health budgets to address the medical and economic needs of marginalised women, including female sex workers, who often face barriers to accessing quality healthcare. The Rubaga Division officials appreciated AWAC’s contribution to community development and committed to strengthening collaboration, improving service delivery and creating more opportunities for community participation in local decision making, including resource allocation. We believe that accountable leadership, equitable health financing and meaningful community participation are very crucial to ensuring accessible and responsive public services for all. #AWACPartnerships

This week marks the commencement of the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights in Banjul The Gambia. Spaces like these are very important in the protection and promotion of the human rights of marginalized persons including women sex workers, this therefore informs the basis of the need for us to understand how this space works, its function and how it can be leveraged to promote the rights of those most vulnerable yet often left out of important issues. Stay tuned to know more about the African Commission how and why to engage , and AWAC’s engagement in the space @achpr_cadhp @_AfricanUnion @AfricanSexWorkA