Towards effective political participation and decision making for women councillors in decentralised local governments and the role of NGOs in Uganda

This is a report on a DENIVA study into the role of women councillors in decentralised local governance in Uganda. A new framework for administrative, fiscal and financially decentralised local government was established in 1993, which specified a quota of one-third women councillors. Women's numerical participation in local governance has not been matched in terms of their individual influence or their collective gender impact on council programmes (strategic presence). The study investigates this problem, and finds encouraging evidence that women are gaining strength and overcoming the stigma that women's political empowerment destabilises families. However, the study also confirms that women councillors are particularly constrained by gender-biased institutional factors (rules and practices of councils, formal language, access to information), legal impediments and socio-cultural factors. The research finds strong links between women councillors and the non-governmental sector, with the majority coming from grassroots organisations. This report ends with a series of proposed strategies to enhance the effectiveness of women councillors and to ensure gender equity in local governance; from training and institutional change to lobbying and sensitisation and community education on the role of councillors. It calls for a coordinated effort between NGOs, councillors and local and national government.