A dynamic society that recognizes, respects and upholds rights of women and girls.
Who We Are
Our Mission
Law and Advocacy for Women in Uganda (LAW-Uganda) was established in 1997 by women lawyers brought together by their interest in women’s rights issues as well as their joint experience during their studies as participants of the Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA) Project and the Women in Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program (WLPPFP) at Georgetown University Law Center (USA).
LAW-Uganda was registered as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and then as a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2004. It is also currently registered by the Law Council as Law Chambers qualified to offer legal aid services.
It promotes recognition, respect and realization of the rights of women and girls and gender equality as provided for under the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 and International Human Rights Conventions that Uganda is signatory to.
LAW-Uganda has in the last twenty years used research; advocacy; training and capacity building; strategic litigation; and partnerships to register significant success to advance the rights of women and girls and gender equality in Uganda. Some of these changes include victory in the Constitutional Court of Uganda to declare some sections of the Divorce Act and Succession Act as unconstitutional for discriminating against women, declaring Female Genital Mutilation as an unconstitutional practice, and initiating the enactment of the Trafficking in Persons Act, 2009, the Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2010. Research conducted by LAW-Uganda was also used extensively in the enactment of the Equal Opportunities Act, 2006; the Domestic Violence Act, 2009; and amendment of the Labour law to include sexual harassment; increase maternity leave from 45 days to 60 working days and provide for paternity leave.
Our Guiding Principles
LAW-Uganda commits to the following core values in order to enrich its work and realize its vision:
Professionalism
LAW-Uganda demonstrates competence, proficiency and diligence in accordance with the legal profession and human rights principles. We employ utmost honesty, respect and responsibility in dealing with communities, members and partners.
Commitment
LAW-Uganda values hard work, excellence and dedication to make an impact in transforming lives of women and girls and in its contribution to making this world a better place.
Accountability
LAW-Uganda believes in transparency and accountability in its operations and uses evidence based approaches in monitoring, evaluating and reporting.
Creativity
LAW-Uganda encourages creative approaches and new innovative and cost effective technologies. We encourage expression of ideas and provide an enabling environment for open mindedness and ingenuity.
Partnerships
LAW-Uganda communicates and works as a team. We partner with entities working on similar issues and with grassroot communities to advance the rights of women and girls and promote gender equality.
Diversity
LAW-Uganda works and serves all people regardless of their culture, age, race, economic status, gender and sexual orientation.
INTERVENTIONS
a) Research, Documentation, Dissemination and Advocacy;
b) Training and Capacity Building;
c) Provision of legal and technical services;
d) Strategic Litigation;
e) Institution Building, Partnerships and Networking.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
The LAW-Uganda Strategic Plan (2015-2020) articulates the road to consolidate the gains made in using the Law to advance the rights of women and girls and promote gender equality. The strategy also capsules the aspirations to create a greater impact and more meaningful contribution in transforming lives of women and girls in Uganda and beyond. LAW-Uganda strategic objectives are:a) To promote recognition, respect and realization of the rights of women and girls and gender equality as provided for under the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 and International Human Rights Conventions that Uganda is signatory to.
b) To increase civic consciousness, human rights awareness and ability to influence change in attitude and behavior of community members so as to promote gender equality and eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls.
c) To build capacity and strengthen competence, impart knowledge and skills to implementers of the law, community leaders, civil society organizations, community human rights volunteers particularly among vulnerable and the disadvantaged in order to increase access to justice for women and girls.
d) To increase access to justice and equal protection before the law to the vulnerable women and girls Uganda.
e) To strengthen LAW-Uganda as an organization; create and nurture partnerships and networks with entities with similar objectives.