Funding from the Wales and Africa Grant Scheme has helped six projects boost women’s rights and livelihoods in Uganda and Lesotho.
The scheme enables community groups and organisations in Wales to access funding for small-scale projects that contribute to Wales’ delivery of UN Sustainable Development Goals and deliver benefits to Wales and Africa.
The latest round was specifically aimed at women’s empowerment projects delivered in Uganda and Lesotho. The funded organisations will work with their African partners to promote gender equality in a number of fields:
- Bawso will be working towards the elimination of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Sebei region of Uganda.
- Bees for Development will empower women through beekeeping and breaking down gender barriers for women beekeepers in the Mount Elgon region.
- Care for Uganda will support eight self-started rural women’s groups in Luwero District to boost their livelihoods and financial autonomy.
- GBV Uganda Projects will train and equip women in hairdressing, craft making and beekeeping, to help them become financially independent.
- Size of Wales will empower women in Uganda to tackle climate change by providing training in land use planning, agroforestry and soil and water conservation.
- Teams4U will provide lessons on sexual and reproductive health and women’s rights to 10,000 students in 10 schools, and they will train teachers, parents and the wider community on these issues.
A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP
The funding creates opportunities for cultural exchanges and the sharing of skills, learning and good practice between Wales and Africa.
Through community engagement and volunteering opportunities, the projects raise awareness of and promote action on issues such as climate change, gender equality and tackling poverty, encouraging people in Wales to become active global citizens.
IMPROVING WOMEN’S LIVES THROUGH BEEKEEPING
One of the organisations funded through this round is Bees for Development, a Monmouth based global charity which promotes sustainable beekeeping to combat poverty, build resilient livelihoods and benefit biodiversity.
The organisation has been funded through the Wales and Africa scheme before when they partnered with The Ugandan National Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO) last year to empower women through beekeeping in the Adjumani region of Uganda.
Building on the success of that project, they will now support women in the Mount Elgon region, giving them the confidence and the means to take control of and improve their lives through beekeeping enterprises.
Rose, a beekeeper from the Adjumani district, had no source of income before she got involved in beekeeping. After she received training she established an apiary, and was able to harvest honey to earn money, which she could spend on her family.
‘I find it easy for me as a woman beekeeper. Honey has market. I am now a member of our village savings group. I saved some money to pay for my children’s (school) fees and build us a good house with bricks and iron sheets.’
Rose is now a role model and mentor for other women within the community wishing to join and benefit from beekeeping.
WALES AND AFRICA GRANTS NOW OPEN
The sixth round of the Wales and Africa grant scheme is now open. For more information and to apply please visit our most recent article on the Wales and Africa grant scheme.