1. UNGEI in UGANDA Presentation by Dr. Sheila Wamahiu, Chief, Education, UNICEF Uganda CO, at Asia-Pacific Meeting of UNGEI Global Advisory Committee, 11-12 June 2008, Kathmandu, Nepal

2. The Country Context Governance: multiparty democracy, decentralised structure (national vs. local governments) Ethnic/cultural diversity and tensions Security phase: Phase 3 in pastoralist/nomadic Karamoja (northeast) Phase 2 in North (conflict affected/post conflict transition) Phase 1 Kampala and other areas

3. Education Policy & Financing Advanced SWAp (also in Health and WATSAN) Budget support Budgetary ceilings set by MoF in consultation with Education Sector Policies/Legislative frameworks relating to Education for All/Gender Equality Constitution: Guarantees right to education 1997 UPE: Policy Guidelines stipulates tuition free education, removes costs such as compulsory school uniform Quota system for higher education/elective seats-all levels 2007 USE: Phased implementation 2008 Education Bill: makes education compulsory but elements incompatible with Human Rights principles

4. Girls’ Education: Issues Overall reduction in gender gaps at primary enrolment; Widens at higher levels Persisting disparities in hard-to-reach; conflict affected areas Also in school leaving exams; SMT Boys in areas of commercial labour-fishing villages, mining) Similar issues as discussed in key note paper/discussants-in-school & out-of-school incl high leakage, gender-based violence, poor quality of teaching learning processes, inadequate/infrastructure

5. UNGEI: Multisectoral/Multilevel Partnership Forum

6. MoES Gender Task Force at helm Provides strategic guidance at the national level and facilitates implementation of the UNGEI vision. Members: Ministry of Education and Sports (Chair) Ministry of Education and Sports (Chair) FAWEU (Co-Chair) FAWEU (Co-Chair) UNICEF (Convener) UNICEF (Convener) Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Kyambogo University (in charge of teacher training) Kyambogo University (in charge of teacher training) DES (Directorate of Education Standards) DES (Directorate of Education Standards) NCDC (National Curriculum Development Centre) NCDC (National Curriculum Development Centre) MISR / Makerere University MISR / Makerere University UNITY / USAID UNITY / USAID Netherlands’ Embassy Netherlands’ Embassy GEM GEM Straight Talk Foundation CCF Straight Talk Foundation CCF World Vision World Vision Save the Children in Uganda Save the Children in Uganda

7. UNGEI: FIRST STEPS Acceleration strategy guiding framework for partnership mobilisation (Gender Task Force, Teacher Education, MoES) Acceleration strategy guiding framework for partnership mobilisation (Gender Task Force, Teacher Education, MoES) Pre-launch consultation– Pre-launch consultation– Selection of Working group Selection of Working group Set national agenda & task: Gender parity (MDG)/Identification of key actors thru partnership mapping Set national agenda & task: Gender parity (MDG)/Identification of key actors thru partnership mapping Develop/consensus on national TORs for UNGEI Develop/consensus on national TORs for UNGEI Consensus on gender sensitisation campaign & roll-out to lower levels Consensus on gender sensitisation campaign & roll-out to lower levels National launch Dec 2004 National launch Dec 2004 Current Minister for Education & Sports (then Minister of State) Current Minister for Education & Sports (then Minister of State) Chair: GoU (MoES Dept of Pre-Primary & Primary) & Co-chair: FAWEU Chair: GoU (MoES Dept of Pre-Primary & Primary) & Co-chair: FAWEU Convener: UNICEF Uganda Convener: UNICEF Uganda

8. ROLL-OUT SINCE 2005 Gender Parity Campaign with token contribution for community mobilisation by UNICEF Gender Parity Campaign with token contribution for community mobilisation by UNICEF all districts + municipalities (over 70) all districts + municipalities (over 70) Ministerial guidance on use of contribution Ministerial guidance on use of contribution Ministerial letter to district/community leaders Ministerial letter to district/community leaders most disadvantaged sub-counties most disadvantaged sub-counties building on existing activities building on existing activities Focus on selected districts (sub-counties/IDP camps) for intensive action (e.g. USDC in West Nile; UNHCR in refugee settlements, USAID in project districts) Focus on selected districts (sub-counties/IDP camps) for intensive action (e.g. USDC in West Nile; UNHCR in refugee settlements, USAID in project districts) Broad-based partnerships incl. with PTCs, local media, creative artistes (concert for girls’ education), young people/children Broad-based partnerships incl. with PTCs, local media, creative artistes (concert for girls’ education), young people/children GEM training focus on monitoring GEM training focus on monitoring

9. 13 district level UNGEI chapters in Teso region (East), Karamoja region (North-East), Acholi region (North) and the Western region. 13 district level UNGEI chapters in Teso region (East), Karamoja region (North-East), Acholi region (North) and the Western region. 164 camp/community education committees (94% of them constituted in 2007) in parts of Teso region and Gulu and Amuru districts (Acholi region) 164 camp/community education committees (94% of them constituted in 2007) in parts of Teso region and Gulu and Amuru districts (Acholi region) Planned roll-out in Western Uganda Planned roll-out in Western Uganda TODAY

10. WORKING TOGETHER FOR GENDER PARITY: ACTIONS Advocacy materials: Advocacy materials: Fact sheets: presenting evidence Fact sheets: presenting evidence Posters: Career models Posters: Career models Raising awareness: Gender Parity campaign in 2004 Raising awareness: Gender Parity campaign in 2004 Influencing Sector Education Working Group actions: “Go to School, Back to School, Stay in School campaign” in 2007-08 in Amuru District to focus on Girls Education Influencing Sector Education Working Group actions: “Go to School, Back to School, Stay in School campaign” in 2007-08 in Amuru District to focus on Girls Education Developing tools for reducing gender gaps: Developing tools for reducing gender gaps: Commitment from prominent women Commitment from prominent women Children identifying of out-of-school children (GEM) Children identifying of out-of-school children (GEM) Inputs to the National Gender Policy (updated version published in 2007), Gender in Education Policy (draft by MoES) and Gender Responsive Pedagogy Handbook for Teachers (draft by MoES). Inputs to the National Gender Policy (updated version published in 2007), Gender in Education Policy (draft by MoES) and Gender Responsive Pedagogy Handbook for Teachers (draft by MoES). In 2007, Guidelines for Documentation of Best Practices in Girls' Education (documentation hopefully in 2008) and a draft Training Guide for Community UNGEI groups. In 2007, Guidelines for Documentation of Best Practices in Girls' Education (documentation hopefully in 2008) and a draft Training Guide for Community UNGEI groups.

11. UNGEI IN GULU Established July 2005 Established July 2005 Includes Includes District leaders (LC 5, Secretary for Education, Secretary for Women, ACAO, DEO/DIS, ESA Coordinator and DCO) District leaders (LC 5, Secretary for Education, Secretary for Women, ACAO, DEO/DIS, ESA Coordinator and DCO) Gulu District Local Government incl Probation Officer (Police) Gulu District Local Government incl Probation Officer (Police) Young people (GEM Gulu District Chapter leadership) Young people (GEM Gulu District Chapter leadership) IDP Camp Commanders IDP Camp Commanders Education Agencies (Local, National and International) e.g. Emergency Action Uganda, SOS, Save the Children in Uganda, Gulu Development Agency, Concerned Parents Association, CARITAS, World Vision, GUSCO, ACCORD, NRC, War Child Holland, Action for Children in Conflict, Feed the Children Uganda, HURIFO, FAWE (Forum of African Women Educationalists), Acholi Education Initiative, Straight Talk, LAPEWA, WALA, TICA, Education Agencies (Local, National and International) e.g. Emergency Action Uganda, SOS, Save the Children in Uganda, Gulu Development Agency, Concerned Parents Association, CARITAS, World Vision, GUSCO, ACCORD, NRC, War Child Holland, Action for Children in Conflict, Feed the Children Uganda, HURIFO, FAWE (Forum of African Women Educationalists), Acholi Education Initiative, Straight Talk, LAPEWA, WALA, TICA, GuluCore PTC, Gulu School of Clinical Officers, Gulu University, Headteachers GuluCore PTC, Gulu School of Clinical Officers, Gulu University, Headteachers UN Agencies : WFP, UNOCHA UN Agencies : WFP, UNOCHA

12. ACTIONS & RESULTS IN GULU Sensitisation of communities in 10 IDP camps of Koch-Goma, Awer, Pagak, Pabbo, Bungatira, Unyama, Palenga and Lakwana. Sensitisation of communities in 10 IDP camps of Koch-Goma, Awer, Pagak, Pabbo, Bungatira, Unyama, Palenga and Lakwana. Education committees comprising camp leaders and other prominent camp members with 60% women in leadership/men as members. Education committees comprising camp leaders and other prominent camp members with 60% women in leadership/men as members. “Safe School Contracts” Initiative of Camp Education Committees in partnership with GEM. Contract drawn up between community & teachers. Teachers undertake not to be involved in acts of sexual harassment, elopement with school girls. Signed contracts displayed in a prominent area ensures accountability. “Safe School Contracts” Initiative of Camp Education Committees in partnership with GEM. Contract drawn up between community & teachers. Teachers undertake not to be involved in acts of sexual harassment, elopement with school girls. Signed contracts displayed in a prominent area ensures accountability. “Safe Community Contracts” commits local leaders to promotion of right of girl child to education. Signed with GEM by local leaders “Safe Community Contracts” commits local leaders to promotion of right of girl child to education. Signed with GEM by local leaders Draft Girls Education Ordinance to be tabled before District Council Draft Girls Education Ordinance to be tabled before District Council Re-entry of OOS girls and child mothers (with babies) into school/transition into secondary. Re-entry of OOS girls and child mothers (with babies) into school/transition into secondary. Organisation of child mothers/rape victims/FAC into groups within school to combat stigmatisation Organisation of child mothers/rape victims/FAC into groups within school to combat stigmatisation Greater involvement of boys and men. Greater involvement of boys and men.

13. SUCCESSES Commitment by key ministries: MoES and Min. of Gender: emphasis on girls’ education and young people’s participation. Commitment by key ministries: MoES and Min. of Gender: emphasis on girls’ education and young people’s participation. Large number of partners involved Large number of partners involved Roll-out to the district and community levels Roll-out to the district and community levels Child Friendly Schools widely implemented Child Friendly Schools widely implemented GEM: peer support in schools GEM: peer support in schools GEM covers currently 23 districts (approximately over 903 school based clubs) GEM covers currently 23 districts (approximately over 903 school based clubs) 15 GEM district chapters 15 GEM district chapters Estimated membership: 356 701 members (a coverage of 22% of the children in 31 % of the primary schools in 23 districts). Estimated membership: 356 701 members (a coverage of 22% of the children in 31 % of the primary schools in 23 districts).

14. LESSONS LEARNT & WAY FORWARD Limited external resources catalytic--better utilised at local/community level action than national level launches Limited external resources catalytic--better utilised at local/community level action than national level launches District launches/strengthened mobilisation planned – rolling out continues. District launches/strengthened mobilisation planned – rolling out continues. Partnerships with private sector still under-explored Partnerships with private sector still under-explored Tap commitment of creative artistes/ prominent personalities to give back to community esp. in support of girls ed/empowerment Tap commitment of creative artistes/ prominent personalities to give back to community esp. in support of girls ed/empowerment Adaptation of broader UNGEI strategies to local contexts esp. in post- conflict situations key to success Adaptation of broader UNGEI strategies to local contexts esp. in post- conflict situations key to success Develop UNGEI resource package/community training guide Develop UNGEI resource package/community training guide Data collection and data bank: need to document best practices Data collection and data bank: need to document best practices Translation of national policies into action; follow-up mechanisms Translation of national policies into action; follow-up mechanisms Reduction of gender disparities and promotion of girls’ education is everybody’s business! Reduction of gender disparities and promotion of girls’ education is everybody’s business! Strengthened partnership in monitoring results Strengthened partnership in monitoring results Encourage visible participation of men (in addition to women) role models Encourage visible participation of men (in addition to women) role models

15. FURTHER INFORMATION UNICEF ESARO 2007: UNICEF ESARO 2007: Making UNGEI Work: Lessons from Four African Countries; Uganda: Ensuring that “All” Includes Everyone UNICEF Uganda CO, Education Cluster: UNICEF Uganda CO, Education Cluster: Sheila Wamahiu: swamahiu@unicef.org swamahiu@unicef.org Laura Keihas: lkeihas@unicef.org lkeihas@unicef.org

16. THANK YOU!