Annual Report. Standing Up Against Unjust Economic Policies

Transcription

1 Annual Report 2010 Standing Up Against Unjust Economic Policies

2 Table of Contents Page Acronyms 1 Foreword 2 Message fro Executive Director Introduction Programs Implementation Economic Literacy Macro Economic Policy Gender and Trade Gender, Environment and Climate Change Challenges and Opportunities 16

3 AWEPON Annual Report List of acronyms AWEPON CEEWA - U DRC EAETDN U FAC ICCO NFPW NGO SMC TOT UWEAL VEDCO WEEP African Women s Economic Policy Network. Council for the Economic Empowerment of Women Uganda Chapter. Democratic Republic of Congo. East African Energy Technology Development Network Uganda. Finance and Administration Committee. Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation. National Federation of Protestant Women. Non Governmental Organization. Steering and Management Committee. Training of Trainers. Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Ltd. Voluntary Efforts for Community Development. Women s Economic Empowerment Project.

4 AWEPON Annual Report Foreword On behalf of the African Women s Economic policy Network (AWEPON), I have the pleasure to present the 2010 annual report highlighting activities undertaken during the year. The report captures some notable achievements, challenges, lessons learnt and probable way forward for the organization. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Management and Steering Committee (SMC), the Finance and Management Committee (FAC), for guiding the policy direction of AWEPON that has enabled AWEPON to spearhead the advocacy agenda towards ensuring women s economic justice for women in Africa. I would also wish to thank AWEPON staff for the wonderful work they have done for the organization this year, for their commitment and hard work which has led to the achievements attained during the year. In 2010 AWEPON focused on; Building capacity of African women in Business skills and Economic policy, Empowering women economically through provision of start up capital and productive resources, Supporting the access to national, and regional markets for women s products through training in value addition, appropriate technology and provision of market information using leaflets and ICT, Economic Policy analysis and advocacy through research, documentation and dissemination, Creating socio transformation of women economically, socially and culturally. AWEPON s core challenge remained limited core funding for programs and human resource to enable the organization to reach out to wider constituency in Africa, however, efforts are being made to ensure continuity of the Networks future activities. We extend our sincere thanks to all those who supported AWEPON in any way in 2010, and we look forward to continued partnership with you all in the future. Thank you Ms. Josephine Kamel Chairperson, AWEPON

5 AWEPON Annual Report MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The year 2010 has been great with many achievements that saw the African Women Economic Policy Network (AWEPON) live up to its motto of Standing up against Unjust Economic Policies and continuing to be a voice for the African women. A lot was achieved in the areas of training through tailor made workshops, exchange visits and production of simple easy to use training materials, research, networking and the use of interns in order to build the capacities of young women graduates who are the future leaders of tomorrow. The Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop for the six (6) countries implementing the Women Economic Empowerment Project (WEEP) was an efficient way of reaching many people with minimal resource as the trainers went back and trained their partners in their own countries. In addition to this workshop many other workshops were conducted helping women acquire an assortment of skills including entrepreneurship skills, Business management, market access in a competitive environment, Book keeping, costing and pricing. In the line of research, the Study on the impact of taxation and investment on women with special focus to Uganda, the findings revealed that 90% of the respondents lacked adequate Tax Policy information making them vulnerable to unscrupulous Enforcement and Tax Collection Officers. This means that AWEPON still has a lot to do to educate the women about Taxation and investment in Uganda and other AWEPON member countries. AWEPON also updated its Finance and Management Resource Manual and also developed a Procurement Manual in order to increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness. AWEPON did also experience some challenges during the year, however, they were challenges that helped the organisation to refocus and grow by looking at issues differently. AWEPON did also carry out a study on the Global Financial Crisis on Women. Although it had no direct short term implications on AWEPON funding it did affect the incomes of the women as the prices of consumer goods escalated straining the already stressed household budgets. This in a way ate into the incomes of the women generated by some of AWEPON s programmes. The main challenge was, however, limited funding and dependency on one major donor. Efforts will be made to broaden the donor base in this New Year. All this would not be possible without the support guidance of the Steering and Management Committee (SMC), the Finance and Administration Committee (FAC), the hard work of the staff and all AWEPON stakeholders for believing in and being part of the AWEPON family. We look forward to better year in Rosemary M Lukholo Ag Executive Director

6 AWEPON Annual Report Introduction The year 2010 was full of exciting activities for AWEPON. During the year, AWEPON engaged more in trying to satisfy African women s quest for independent incomes as one of the strategies to fight the feminized face of poverty in Africa. As a result, the year saw the development of self training kits in the areas of Income Generating Activities for African Women, Market Opportunities and Access, Economic Literacy and Women and Technology. To enhance the productive capacities of women, AWEPON also conducted a number of tailored training workshops in the areas of Economic Literacy, Business Skills and Social Transformation in 6 African countries which are implementing the DANIDA funded Women Economic Empowerment Project (WEEP). These countries include; Uganda. Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, Lesotho and Democratic Republic of Congo - (DRC). The trainings mainly focused on practical approaches of women s economic empowerment which included value addition, packaging, standardization and marketing. In the same year, AWEPON undertook researches on the impact of Taxation and investment on women in Uganda, and the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on African women a case of Uganda. AWEPON disseminated the findings of the study it carried out on the Impact of Regional Integration on Women. This study had been carried out in As one of her major objectives to mentor young women graduates, during the year, AWEPON recruited four interns from three AWEPON member countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The interns were mentored for a period of 4 months (September December 2010), after which they returned to their home countries to support the country focal points. One intern from Uganda was retained at the secretariat. To enhance African women s economic empowerment through practical study and vision, AWEPON Secretariat organized a two days exchange visit for 38 African women to Siaya Kenya. The women who participated in this visit were from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The major objective of the activity was for the women to learn, share and network. To increase the organizational efficiency and effectiveness, AWEPON updated its Finance and Management Resource manual; it also developed a detailed procurement manual. Vision: AWEPON works towards achieving economic justice. Mission: AWEPON seeks to strengthen the capacity of women especially at the grassroots and national levels to influence the shape of economic policies.

7 AWEPON Annual Report AWEPON s purpose and Principle In an effort to increase women s understanding, the context and impact of economic policy, women are encouraged and trained in economic literacy and advocacy. In addition, space is created for women to directly participate in economic decision making, debates and discussions at different levels. AWEPON s background African Women s Economic Policy Network (AWEPON) is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) with a wide membership of individuals, groups and organizations. The Network focuses on gender, faith and economics with an effort to increase women s understanding of the content and impact of economic policies while promoting their participation in economic decisions. Fundamentally AWEPON lobbies and advocates against economic and systematic injustice. It also strives to train and economically empower members in a search for their economic emancipation and eradication of feminized poverty. AWEPON believes in enhancing the voices of African women to stand up against economic injustice, poor governance and to promote the African women s rights to attain economic opportunities, while seeking better livelihood strategies for the women. Structure and Management AWEPON has a general assembly as the supreme decision making body of the organization comprised of fully paid up members. Under the general assembly, AWEPON has a Steering and Management committee (SMC), which is elected and mandated to operate by the General Assembly. The main activities of the SMC include overseeing the work of the secretariat, the country contact persons and all other activities undertaken by the organization. AWEPON has a Finance and Administration Committee (FAC). This is comprised of members of the organization resident in the host country and appointed by the SMC. The FAC supervises all administrative work and Financial activities of the organization at the secretariat.

8 AWEPON Annual Report SMC members; Josephine Kamel Chair person Egypt Rev. Rose Lala Biasima Vice Chairperson DRC Dr. May Sengendo Treasurer Uganda Mwajuma Alice Abok Member Kenya Youngui Massok Marie Therese Member Cameroon Susanne Matale Member Zambia Lilliane de Massok Member Cameroon Bula Omega Co Founder (Ex Official) Canada VIVI Akoko Member Togo Executive Director Ex - Official Uganda. FAC members Victoria Serunkuma Chair Uganda Kisalare Lillian Khalayi Legal Council Uganda Dr. May Sengendo Treasurer Uganda Rosemary Lukholo Member Uganda Jane Nalunga Member Uganda AWEPON Staff Ms. Daisy Owomugasho headed of the organization during the year. She was assisted by a Program Officer- Mr. Ben Ariko, Finance and Administration Officer Ms. Joyce Nsubuga, and a Receptionist Mr. Ben Mubeezi. Towards the end of the year, the Secretariat recruited and was supported by 4 interns, who worked from September to December These were Mrs. Florence Kasule and Ms. Eunice Among from Uganda, Ms. Prospa Aika from Tanzania and Ms. Mildred Acoch from Kenya. After the internship program in December, Mrs. Florence Kasule was retained to give more support to the secretariat. Membership Membership is open to organizations, groups and individuals that subscribe to AWEPON s objectives. In 2010, membership increased with the joining of a number of professional and non professional grassroots women from the WEEP implementing NGOs and CBO. At the same time, old members were encouraged to pay their membership fees in case they still felt like being part of AWEPON.

9 AWEPON Annual Report Programme implementation During 2010, AWEPON implemented projects under the five program areas of its strategic plan In addition, AWEPON continued implementing the three year DANIDA funded WEEP whose major objective is to enable Africa to realize the potential of women in the development process through a process of social and economic transformation, as well as increased creation of Women s businesses and employment. AWEPON also implemented several activities funded by other development partners who include; Fellowship of the Least Coin, Kairos Canada and ICCO. 2.1 Program area one Economic Literacy: The main objective that was focused on in 2010 was; Enhancing the understanding of Economics, economic policies and their likely implications through conducting trainings. A training manual had been developed and translated in In 2010, a self training kit was developed, translated and disseminated. Training WEEP Trainers The TOT workshop was held from 9 th to 12 th February 2010 at Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala Uganda. It brought together participants 27 participants from the 6 WEEP implementing countries of Tanzania, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, Lesotho and Democratic Republic of Congo. The major objectives of the Training were: To provide skills needed to train women in member countries for economic empowerment. To reach the same understanding of the WEEP project (guidelines, requirements, implementation and reporting. To train WEEP project members on proper project management and accountability (Financial and Narrative). To identify areas for future focus. Participants were trained about the WEEP project What it is, what it entails. Trainees came to a common understanding of the terminologies used in the project, and the modalities of implementing the project in the entire project implementing countries. Trainees were exposed on how to use the various Training Manuals and Training Kits as they went down to train women in their respective project countries. They were trained to be trainers in the following areas; Economic Literacy for Women, Promoting Rural Women s Cooperative Business in Africa, Value Chain analysis, and Entrepreneurs Access to Markets for African Women.

10 AWEPON Annual Report The Executive Director Ms. Daisy Owomugasho giving opening remarks during the TOT workshop. During the workshop, focal points were guided on the importance of legalizing their Organizations and the AWEPON finance officer took them through financial accounting systems guidelines and procedures for the WEEP. By the end of the workshop participants had acquired skills which they would use to train other trainers and other women in project countries for economic empowerment ; to implement the project effectively and achieve project desired outcomes, to manage and account for the project funds effectively (both Financial and Narrative accountabilities). Economic Literacy trainings in WEEP implementing countries After the TOT, all the trainees from the 6 WEEP implementing countries went back and trained grassroots women in their respective countries in areas of Economic Literacy for Women, Promoting Rural Women s Cooperative Business in Africa, Value Chain analysis, and Entrepreneurs Access to Markets for African Women. Ms. Jovita Mlay from Tanzania facilitating one of the training workshops. Regional Training workshop African Women Economic Policy Network (AWEPON) organized a three days Regional training workshop for women entrepreneurs. The workshop which took place from 14 th to 16 th November 2010 at City link Hotel Arusha Tanzania, attracted 45 participants who came from 5 WEEP project implementing countries of Uganda, Kenya, Lesotho, Cameroon and Tanzania. A cross section of women entrepreneurs trained in the Arusha workshop. The major objective of the regional training workshop was to enhance the capacity of 40 women entrepreneurs engaged in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to effectively and competitively engage in Business and compete in the dynamic Markets. By the end of the workshop, participants had acquired skills in Entrepreneurship, Business management, Market Access in a Competitive Environment, Book Keeping, Costing and Pricing among others.

11 AWEPON Annual Report Program area two: Macro Economic Policy, Gender and Poverty. The main objective that was focused on in 2010 was; To monitor economic policies in the sector of financing for development through economic policy analysis and research. The following activities were undertaken during the year; Study objectives were: a. Study on the impact of taxation and investment on women with special focus on Uganda. To identify the different social-economic tax administration barriers/problems to the women entrepreneurs in Uganda. To suggest positive policy and legal changes in order to improve the entrepreneurial capacity of women in Uganda. To provide information to Government and other relevant institutions with alternative interventions or means to address tax administration challenges to women entrepreneurs. Findings indicated that women entrepreneurs faced various legal and tax administration barriers. Majority of the respondents (90%) reported ignorance of the tax policy information and thus found themselves tied by tax unknowingly. As a result enforcement and tax collection officers take advantage of these women and overtax them. The high illiteracy levels among women was also a barrier to women s access to tax information. It was also found that women lacked knowledge their rights as women entrepreneurs and how to enforce them. These were related to legal requirements for starting and running formal businesses and they found difficult to navigate the complex array of tax laws and regulations. There was therefore need for sensitization of women in these areas and simplifying the technical jargons used in the taxation policies. b. Dissemination of WEEP Research reports. On 24 th June 2010, AWEPON disseminated the research findings for the studies that had been undertaken in The studies that had been carried out included a study on Women and Technology. The purpose of this study was to identify the Technological inclination of women to Technology in Africa. Presentation of research findings. Other studies include a Study on the Impact of Regional Integration on Women, and an analysis of Trade and Aid effectiveness in the Six WEEP implementing countries. The research reports were translated, published and disseminated. Out of the research reports AWEPON published a Position Paper on

12 AWEPON Annual Report Trade and Aid Effectiveness, a Policy Brief on Trade and Aid Effectiveness for Uganda specifically, and an Information Kit on Regional Integration. The Regional Integration study was conducted in Uganda along the boarder areas, and premised on issues/concerns that affect women in trade. Research findings indicated that due to Regional Integration, women roles in decision making at regional level had been uplifted within the East African Community Assembly. Out of the 12 representative, 5 seats were for women and the position of Deputy Secretary General, therefore women leadership and management had been given a face lift with a general decline in sex segregation of occupations. Another area was in the key organs of Customs, Investment and export boards which were being governed by women such as the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), and Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB). Out of the 210 women interviewed, 40 % (84) revealed that their incomes had been enhanced by the regional trade in the area of informal trade mainly in agricultural related products. However, despite the above gains, the research indicated that the regional integration had had limited impact on poverty levels of women in general and real concrete actions were needed to reap its benefits especially for the rural women. c. Dissemination of study findings for the Resource Tracking and budget monitoring exercise carried out in Five Districts of Uganda. On September 16 th and 17 th 2010, AWEPON disseminated the research findings of the study it had undertaken in 2008 in five Districts of Uganda namely; Soroti, Katakwi, Moroto, Lira and Gulu. A cross section of the workshop participants. The workshop took place at Aneku village in Soroti District Uganda. The major objective of the study was to carry out a Budget Monitoring and Resource Tracking exercise in the 5 districts in order to assess use of government funds in the districts. The objective of the workshop was to present the research findings of the resource tracking, monitoring and analysis exercise, generate discussion / debate about the findings and forge a feasible way forward as per the recommendations from the participants.

13 AWEPON Annual Report The workshop was attended by high level government officials from the five local governments including Chairpersons LC 5, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), members of Civil Society Organizations as well as the local citizens. The report indicated that despite some achievements in government spending there was disproportionate allocation of funds in the various sectors such as education with over 50% of the education sector funding allocated to Universal Primary Education (UPE) alone, less than 8% of the total expenditure allocated to health sector and water and sanitation coverage received less than 5% of total expenditure! Funds allocated to feeder roads were heavily fragmented thus causing insignificant allocations on numerous rural feeder roads. As a way forward, participants demanded for more dialogue and engagement with their leaders, and more research if possible annually, so that they are well informed when they meet their leaders at different levels. They recommended the formation of Focal points in each district which would continue to monitor the budgeting and accounting processes. AWEPON followed up the recommendations and focal points were formed in each district. d. Training workshops for women entrepreneurs in Business skills, market access and socio transformation. These workshops were carried out in the 6 different WEEP implementing countries separately during the year. In Uganda, the training took place between 4 th and 5 th Oct 2010 at NOB View hotel in Kampala. It was attended by 34 participants chosen from partner NGOs, and CBOS working on this project at grassroots levels and these included; VEDCO, Send a Cow, Nyabubaare Bakazi Twetungure, Training in Uganda CEEWA, EAETDN U, and UWEAL. Participants were trained in areas of entrepreneurship and market access for African women, Women s Cooperative business, Group dynamics, Business Planning, Book keeping and costing. During the workshop participants shared the challenges they were facing in their individual businesses and leant how to overcome them.

14 AWEPON Annual Report Over 120 women were trained in Cameroon. The women acquired more skills that they would use to promote their businesses. They requested for more training in future. Training women in Cameroon In Lesotho, Lewepon organized trainings workshops at Naleli Maseru, Emmanuel Hostel Hall, and others in different areas for representatives of Matelile, Kolonyama, Berea and Maseru women s gropus. Participants also included some representatives of staff from the Ministry of Gender, Sports, Youth and Recreation. During social transformation training, women believed that they had to do things differently and more efficiently, and to create time to improve themselves. Training women in Lesotho. The WEEP reviewed From 16 th to 17 th December 2010, African Women s Economic Policy Network organized a two days workshop at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala. The main objective was to assess, evaluate and review progress of one of its major Danida funded program named the Women s Economic Empowerment Program (WEEP). The Chairperson Ms. Josephine Kamel opening the workshop. A cross section of participants during WEEP review. The WEEP project was launched in 2009 and the project was in its second year of implementation in The workshop was attended by 36 participants from all the six WEEP implementing countries that is Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho, Democratic Republic of Congo and

15 AWEPON Annual Report Cameroon. Members of AWEPON s Finance and Administration committee, and the Steering committee from the different countries also attended the workshop. During the workshop, all WEEP implementing countries gave an up date of the project progress. Successes, achievements, challenges were highlighted and a way forward was decided upon. At community levels, skills had been developed among the women beneficiaries in areas of business, production, marketing, negotiation skills, self reliance, group development and dynamics, due to the various trainings. At household levels, there was improvement in women s capacity to provide for the families and to make economic decisions due to increased incomes and access to markets. In Lesotho for example after sensitization women could ably sign project contracts without seeking authority from their husbands. Many women gained employment for example to make briquettes in Uganda milling in DRC, bricks, tents and chairs hire in Kenya, fish smoking and processing in Cameroon, and piggery and poultry rearing in Lesotho. Women entrepreneurs in the area of manufacturing such as wine had been linked to national boards of standards for quality standardization purposes, and others had been linked to trade fairs and exhibitions to explore more market opportunities. To increase women s access to markets, market information brochures and leaflets were developed and circulated, messages were being sent through mobile telephones and public gatherings were being used for women to expose their products. AWEPON secretariat had organized an exposure / exchange visit for women from other countries to Kenya which had enabled them to gain more skills and knowledge through observations and sharing, Monitoring and evaluation of the project had been carried out by the Finance Officer from AWEPON secretariat who visited all focal points in the WEEP implementing countries. She had visited the project activities and supported / guided more in areas of financial management systems as per the DANIDA guidelines. AWEPON secretariat had developed simplified information kits to assist focal points in identifying Income generating activities, simple but appropriate technology for women, selection of groups,market access and market opportunities for women. Among the challenges noted during the WEEP review was the fact that that the project had generated a lot of enthusiasm and interest and more groups were applying to be trained in all countries but funds were limited. Project administrative costs were quite high due to the coordination of logistics for the various project

16 AWEPON Annual Report activities yet this was not considered in the initial budget. The cost for standardization of manufactured products was too high for the women yet products needed to be standardized. Lessons learnt during the WEEP review were that the WEEP activities were practical in nature and related very well to the immediate environment of the women and youth and community needs. This had enhanced ownership of the project in all countries by the grass root women and other community members and created a lot of hope for poverty eradication. In addition, the activities under WEEP were unique and had enhanced AWEPON s publicity and visibility. As a way forward, AWEPON members felt that more still needed to be done in areas of economic training and sensitization on gender and socio transformation. This was because there was still resistance from husbands for married women, especially when it came to making economic decisions in the homes. For example in Cameroon there were still cultural laws that allowed husbands to stop or allow their wives to work, but this was slowly changing. 1. AWEPON s Exchange visit to Kenya Women s projects. AWEPON Secretariat organized a two days exchange visit for 38 women. This trip was sponsored by DANIDA as one of the requirements in the implementation of the WEEP project ; and took place at Siaya in Kenya from 21 st to 24 th November Women who participated in this exchange visit were selected from 4 WEEP implementing countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The major objective of the activity was for the women to learn, share and network. Uganda was represented by 7 women, Kenya 13, Tanzania 7, and the DRC was represented by 1 woman representative. During the trip the women visited 6 women groups which included Hardwork, Papa Gori, Megido, Nyiloka, Papa Nyadiel, and Siaya Child Rights. The women visited the project sites and shared experiences from their different WEEP implementing countries. 8. AWEPON Internship Program AWEPON recruited four Interns under its DANIDA funded Internship Program Two of the interns were from Uganda, one from Kenya and one from Tanzania. The interns stayed at AWEPON secretariat for a period of 4 months from September to December During the review of their internship program, the interns reported that they had gained a lot from this program. They had gained skills in proposal and report writing, networking, lobbying and advocacy; and they had also been exposed a lot through participation in workshops, events and exchange visits. The interns recommended that the program should be extended to allow for more young African women from other countries to benefit in future.

17 AWEPON Annual Report PROGRAM AREA 3: GENDER AND TRADE AWEPON developed, translated and disseminated a Training manual on Market Competition and Value Chains. The main purpose of the manual is to help women producers and entrepreneurs in Africa to understand the process of how they can increase their efficiency and effectiveness of internal processes so that they are significantly better off than their competitors both within their individual links in the chain, and between the links in the chain; and also to enable women producers or entrepreneurs to have skills on how to introduce new products or to improve old products more quickly and with better quality than other competitors. The training manual was used to train women in Africa especially in the 6 WEEP implementing countries. AWEPON also improved on her website to give more timely and efficient information for women and other partners in development. Under the same program area, AWEPON with support from Fellowship of the Least Coin undertook a study to assess the impact of Global Financial crisis on women with special focus on Ugandan women. Findings indicated that grassroots women had been affected both directly and indirectly due to increases in costs of services and commodities. 2.4 PROGRAM AREA 4: GENDER, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE Outcome 1: AWEPON Spearheads the women and Climate Change Campaign. With financial support from Kairos Canada, The African Women s Economic Policy Network (AWEPON) in collaboration with the Community Enterprises Development Organization (CEDO) which is a community based organization embarked on the implementation of a project entitled Improving nutrition and income while conserving the environment at Kisunku village, Lwankoni Subcounty, Rakai District. The activity was undertaken in December The major objective was to sensitize communities about environmental degradation, and to provide tree seedlings and other inputs to be used during the project implementation.50 families so far benefited from this project.

18 AWEPON Annual Report An overview of a poor banana and maize garden at Kisunku village A Cross section of the project Women beneficiaries receiving fruit tree seedlings, and agricultural implements at Kisunku village Rakai District. 3.0 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN 2010 There have been a number of challenges that were outside the scope AWEPON notably the Global Financial Crisis. While this did not affect AWEPON directly it did affect the women (the target) because there has been a progressive increase in consumer goods and services while the incomes remained the same. Communication and reporting Being a membership organization AWEPON has to deal with a number of stakeholders; while this is good sometimes timely communication and reporting becomes a challenge. Some CBOs and NGOs lack communication technologies and they have to use internet cafes to process their work which is costly and time consuming. In order to mitigate this challenge, AWEPON plans to get ICT and supply to its partners at the same time, AWEPON has given strict deadlines to the participating organizations ensure timely reporting and effective communication. Opportunities AWEPON secretariat has skeleton staff. However, it has to play a coordinating role for all the member countries and in addition operates as a country focal point for some programs. Inline with AWEPON s mission to empower women economically, AWEPON has tapped the opportunity of using Volunteers and Interns to assist in implementing programs, which also builds and empowers the young women of tomorrow. Another challenge has been in the area of climate change. For example during the implementation of the WEEP project, most women who engaged in agriculture made losses due to unprecedented draughts in some countries. Although this is a global effect, AWEPON plans to mobilize for funds

19 AWEPON Annual Report and sensitize women to mitigate these climate changes. AWEPON has also encouraged women to store enough food and also to join other income generating activities other than relying on agriculture alone. Donors AWEPON management and staff would like to appreciate our funders for the enormous support accorded to the organization. Their contribution has been a significant part of AWEPON s annual budget. Current Donors of AWEPON include; DANIDA Kairos CANADA ICCO Felowship of Least coin (FLC)