Grassroots Women’s Association for Development (GWAD) is a registered non-profit making, non-governmental organization operating in Northern Uganda.

GWAD, an independent body with its headquarters in Gulu District, was established in 1998 and aims at improving the livelihoods of women and children in Northern Uganda. GWAD was founded to address the suffering of women and children who have been adversely affected by the armed conflicts in Northern Uganda. GWAD focuses on empowering women so that they are enabled to face challenges with confidence and ability.

It works closely with the Gulu District NGO Forum, the Government of Uganda, and other NGOs, CBOs and FBOs with similar objectives. GWAD’s foundation is on the phrase: “happy woman, happy nation”

Goal

To mobilize and promote the participation of grassroots women to enable them to respond to the needs of their households and communities.

To advocate with other stakeholders and NGOs/CBOs/FBOs in the district in order to enhance the status and quality of life of the people.

Issue focus:

Women empowerment through skill and knowledge training and all other women concerns, children concerns and HIV/AIDS, girl child education.

Target Group:

Grassroots women, youth, children and people with disability
Overview of the organization: GWAD is a community based organisation found in Gulu- Northern Uganda.

Mission and objectives:

GWAD is to promote and build capacity of grassroots women to be able to respond to the needs of their families, communities, in order to improve the living conditions of the people in the area of operation.
Our values
•    Respect the dignity of all human beings
•    Work with transparency and accountability and fight corruption in all that we do
•    Love and trust one another

OBJECTIVES
Broad Objective:
To reduce poverty among women at the grassroots level.
Specific Objectives:
1.    To create a forum for grassroots women, and other marginalized groups, to interact, identify and voice their concerns on issues affecting their livelihoods and well-being.
2.    To advocate and lobby for inclusion of the poor – particularly women and children in order to empower them socially, economically and, where applicable, politically.
3.    To advocate for and sensitize grassroots communities on their basic human rights – with special emphasis on women’s and children’s rights.
4.    To sensitize grassroots women on community reconciliation and conflict management, and encourage their involvement in peace-building.
5.    To advocate for and promote the care and support of persons infected or affected by HIV/AIDS and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
6.    To advocate for and promote the sustainable management and use of environmental resources.
7.    To build partnerships with other grassroots women’s groups, stakeholders, the government, and organizations with similar objectives.

Activities
1.    Revolving fund
2.    HIV/AIDS awareness and counseling
3.    Trainings:
* Entrepreneurship and business development
* Women’s activism and children’s rights
* Conflict resolution, leadership and peace building
4.    Exchange visits
5.    Best practices forums and sharing
* Education: conferences, workshops and seminars on key themes
6.    Advocacy activities
7.    Construct women’s center
8.    Monthly general assembly meeting to discuss matters of concern

GWAD structure
•    General Assembly (GA) – This is the supreme decision-making organ on all policy matters pertaining to GWAD.

•    Board of Directors (BOD) – This organ proposes policies that are passed by the GA; the BOD is responsible for the supervision of the staff and the running of GWAD.

•    The Secretariat – This is the organ in charge of the day to day running of GWAD. The secretariat implements activities and reports to the BOD.
•    Members – The membership of GWAD is open to all women and men who will abide by the constitution and organizational values and contribute to the realization of the vision. Each member pays a membership fee, and annual contribution, agreed upon by the GA.

Summary of activities to date:

Started in:  1998
Membership: Consists of both men and women, however women constitute 90%

1998-2001: Follow up of child offenders and advocacy for children with support from Save the Children UK

1998-current:

•    Send women for relevant trainings
•    Taken on HIV/AIDS through sensitization, linking infected persons to sources of support, handling of orphans, vulnerable children, development of HIV/AID’s strategic plan, training of identified households with Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) on Income Generating Activities (IGA) to increase HHs income.2001:

•    Linking women of GWAD to women intercultural networks - that of American women

2003-2004:

•    Taken on conflict resolution, conflict areas formation and peace building in partnership with Uganda Women media Association

2004:

•    Trained 480 women from 8 sub counties of Gulu district in IGA with support from EU-Acholi Programme

2004-to present:

•    Carry out revolving fund scheme for members of GWAD to support their IGA

2005:

•    Support to 20 households in Koch-Goma on IGA to increase their household’s income to enhancing the life of OVCs, with funds from ACORD
•    Support from Hope for African Children Initiative (HACI) for OVCs

2006:

•    Continue with IGA

2007 to present:

•    Revolving fund with support from Kampala International University
•    Indigenous Tree Planting Project with support from Community Action Fund
     for Women in Africa (CAFWA)

2008:

•    Sensitisation and training on peace building on UNSEC RES1325 with support from CARE International