UG UN WOMEN LEAP in Uganda- NETPIL 1. Executive Summary
Uganda is one of the countries in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region that has been faced with multiple crises ranging from health pandemics such as COVID 19, Ebola, conflicts, cross border displacements ,acute food insecurity, hunger, and numerous impacts of the global food crisis. The Transformative Livelihoods for Refugees and Host Communities in Uganda which is a short title for The Leadership, Empowerment, Access, and Protection (LEAP 2023) of women and girls in crises will be implemented in Karamoja and South-western Uganda. It will respond to the identified challenges in the region and work in close collaboration withthe target community and key stakeholders to ensure sustainable impact.
The Karamoja region in Uganda continues to suffer from the impact of climate change resulting in drastic deterioration of livelihoods of pastoralists due to lack of access to water and pasture. This has resulted in loss of crops, increased animal mortality, reduced nutrition and subsequent increased mortality rates particularly those affecting women, and children. The influx of refugees from DRC into Uganda, is likely to continue given the continued fighting and tensions in the neighboring country. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by this war due to existing inequalities that expose them to diminished nutrition, heightened risk of SGBV, exploitation and the increased burden of care especially among the refugees and drought affected communities in Uganda. This programme will strengthen emergency protection, leadership, accessto services and promote empowerment of 3250 (2,750 women, girls, youth, and 500 men and boys including persons with disabilities.
Uganda will reach 3250 (2,750 women, girls, youth, and 500 men and boys including) 100 actors specifically lower level administratorssuch as district local government officials, local women organizations, para social workers, para legal, police and members of the judiciary. The Programme will support two women centres with ICT equipment to provide support services to 500 women and girls; 500 women and youth will benefit from vocational skills, climate smart agriculture and practical skills in agroforestry. In order to ensure mental health and access to justice, 750 women and girls will be provided legal aid and psychosocial support services. A total of2 local women’s organisations will be supported to reach out to 800 women and girls; 100 women and youth will be provided with literacy, numeracy skills and solar lanterns. The programme will ensure that 500 men and boys will receive training and mentorship in positive masculinities allow them promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Additionally, 200 women and girls will access cash through participation in the cash for work opportunities to enable women access basic needs such as food. The projectwill also establish and support 30 VSLA groups for women involved in agricultural and non-agricultural livelihoods to enable them access savings and credit to boost their business ventures.

Provide Legal aid services for 300 women, youth and girls  through  mobile legal aid clinics, mobile courts, police follow ups, legal advice, legal representation and community policing for peaceful co-existence and access to women’s and girl’s rights (Uganda)
1. Map out protection ecosystems to establish referral pathways, structuresand  service providers.
2. Conduct Multi Stakeholder Coordination Meeting for the referrral path way actors.
3. Enhance capacity oflegal aid service providers on SGBV case management and referrals.
4. Support prosecutors in holding briefs in SGBV cases in courts.