Summary
Uganda Women's Water Initiative trains grassroots women to be WASH technicians, entrepreneurs and leaders. Women build appropriate technologies, make and sell WASH products and launch local WASH advocacy campaigns. UWWI is an implementing partner of GWWI.
Background
Gomba district has safe water coverage of only 42%. Over 50% of the water sources are open valley tanks which are beyond 5km away from users. As a result, women and children walk very long distances in search for water resulting into delayed development among women.
Also, this area is occupied by communities that have cultures that deter them from using latrines and so latrine coverage is just 58%. As such, on average this district registers 1,500 diarrhea cases per month which results into 50 under five deaths per month.
Most women are unaware of about their rights to work and own property and continue to suffer injustices. Approximately only 5% of women have control over resources like land. This renders them vulnerable to social problems of poverty and dependence.
Tree coverage has reduced by 80% due to rampant tree cutting for charcoal and firewood. This has led to reduced rainfall, prolonged dry spells and reduced agriculture production. This has resulted in severe food shortages and malnutrition over 60 children per month.
It’s upon that background that UWWI endeavors to train women with knowledge and skills in sustainable and locally driven water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) solutions.