Happens for a Reason

Human Rights, health, Equitable Society and Environmental Justice.

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Happy International Women's Day! For a decade, we've been honored to be part of a community dedicated to empowering marginalized women, advocating for their health and socioeconomic rights. We have come far, but there's still more work to do. AWAC today, and every day, stands in solidarity with marginalized women fighting for their wellbeing. We remain committed to breaking down barriers to healthcare and socioeconomic opportunities —because every woman deserves the right to thrive.
Our utmost gratitude goes to all the incredible women out there who inspire us every day.

#InternationalWomensDay

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

With support from Social Innovation In Health Initiative —@MakSPH, today we start off the CHLEG members’ grassroots consultative meeting on the update and review of the CHLEG manual — that will guide the governance structure and operations of CHLEGs in Uganda.

#SIHI
#SocioeconomicResilience
@chlegsacco

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Have you read about the Uganda’s journey in rolling out the Mpox vaccination?

Find a detailed article from Esther Nakkazi
On the link below:
https://t.co/XAB3P2uebd

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Three days to go to the exciting Women Harm Reduction Coalition- Uganda Webinar "Community Localisation & Adaptation of Women Harm Reduction in Uganda" !!!
We are ecstatic to host you on Thursday the 27th of February at 1500hrs EAT. If you are a woman or individual interested in attending, join us on Thursday via the link https://t.co/QByYYHxO5e , you are welcome. Come, learn and share tips or stories on how communities can lead harm reduction programming. See you soon🤩🤩

@NextgenlawyersK
@IDIMakerere @hivos @SSLN_HIV
@DutchMFA @UNAIDS @UNAIDS_UG @WHOUganda
@SwedeninUG @womensfunding @ThinkCREA
@UNODC @UNICEFUganda @ViiVHC @AWID @Sida
@ACTAlliance

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Today, we kick start our discussion on "Community localization and adaptation of Women Harm reduction in Uganda"
Our First speaker, Dr. Moses Mukasa Bwesige--Ph'D, demystifies the need for women harm reduction programming and its intersection with community based mental health and psychosocial support.

In his submission he explains the existing Myths and facts about drug use, and why we should use a human rights based approach and the principle of natural justice.
He notes that "recovering is a journey where by some people do it because of the family pressure or for those around them like families but not for themselves --which easily causes relapses. Therefore we need to understand the harm reduction very well and how to support those affected by it."
#WomenHarmReductionCoalitionUG

@NextgenlawyersK
@IDIMakerere @hivos @SSLN_HIV
@DutchMFA @UNAIDS @UNAIDS_UG @WHOUganda
@SwedeninUG @womensfunding @ThinkCREA
@UNODC @UNICEFUganda @ViiVHC @AWID @Sida
@ACTAlliance

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

For effective Harm Reduction Programming, we need to invest into:
Community involvement for example into women with lived experiences,
Data and research, family considerations  since most women who use drugs are mothers or care givers --additionally focus on prevention and health risks for example provide clean needles and syringes with education on safer injection practices.
#WomenHarmReductionCoalitionUG

@NextgenlawyersK @IDIMakerere @hivos @SSLN_HIV
@DutchMFA @UNAIDS @UNAIDS_UG @WHOUganda
@SwedeninUG @womensfunding @ThinkCREA
@UNODC @UNICEFUganda @ViiVHC @AWID @Sida
@ACTAlliance

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

In her submission, Counsel Kamagara Editah --AWAC, highlights that, there are approximately 2.5% of women aged 15-49 in Uganda report drug use (Uganda National Drug Policy, 2021). The Global Drug Survey (2023) indicates that women are increasingly using drugs like cannabis and opioids, often as a coping mechanism for trauma or socio-economic challenges. She further notes that;
Drug use is criminalized under Ugandan law, creating barriers to health service access, for example the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, 2024, This was the main legislative framework that governs the control and regulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Uganda.  However, this has been nullified and its correct to say currently Uganda has no law governing the use of various substances. One should note that,  the law enforcers still act under this nullified law and use their power of authority to make arrests and exploit communities of persons who use and inject drugs.
Therefore, we need to:
Advocate for Policy Reform; Encourage advocacy for decriminalization and harm reduction policies that prioritize women's health and rights.
Partner with NGOs and community groups to enhance outreach and ensure culturally sensitive programs, leverage and learn from government programmes and see how to decentralize them .
#WomenHarmReductionCoalitionUG

@NextgenlawyersK @IDIMakerere @hivos @SSLN_HIV
@DutchMFA @UNAIDS @UNAIDS_UG @WHOUganda
@SwedeninUG @womensfunding @ThinkCREA
@UNODC @UNICEFUganda @ViiVHC @AWID @Sida
@ACTAlliance

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

The harm reduction programs and service points need to integrate services, including in addressing sexually transmitted infections for female sex workers who use and inject drugs. This can be done through;
Providing a condom package or kit that includes condoms, lubricants, and bottles of drinking water to female sex workers who use and inject drugs
Providers of services and service points provide counselling on tripple protect on strategies to prevent the transmission of HIV, STIs and HCV, and unintended pregnancy. Dual protection strategies can include: consistent, effective condom use alongside preferred contraceptives such as IUDs and implants because FSWUlDs are not in a mutua ly monogamous relationships, they are involved in high risk; and,
• Community resource persons such as peers with accurate knowledge, messaging and practical skills training on condom use. This should include addressing stigma, gender-related and socio-cultural attitudes that can act as barriers to accessing and consistently using prevention interventions such as condoms.
Ms. Beatrice Ajonye --National CLM Coordinator at @ICWEastAfrica

#WomenHarmReductionCoalitionUG

@NextgenlawyersK @IDIMakerere @hivos @SSLN_HIV
@DutchMFA @UNAIDS @UNAIDS_UG @WHOUganda
@SwedeninUG @womensfunding @ThinkCREA
@UNODC @UNICEFUganda @ViiVHC @AWID @Sida
@ACTAlliance

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Represented by our Executive Director —Ms. Kyomya Macklean, we were delighted to join the rest of the Civil Society Organizations working on health, human rights, and social justice, with Networks of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and those affected by HIV in Uganda through a Press Conference on the Illegal termination of 58,000 USAID programs including HIV, TB, Malaria, Ebola and Virtually all health assistance. Through this joint solidarity action we spotlighted the looming impact of this illegal termination —which may result into countless deaths and devastate poor health outcomes in Uganda and around the world. We called for prompt action and demanded that, the Trump Administration Restore HIV and all Health Assistance Programs Immediately.

@usmissionuganda @USAmbUganda
@POTUS @PEPFAR @IDIMakerere @KyomyaMacklean1 @UNAIDS @UNAIDS_UG @Winnie_Byanyima @UNAIDS_ESA @UNAIDS_WCA

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Cross-movement and partnership portfolio expansion is one of our strategies that has enabled our consistent growth including in humanitarian response work. Today, we are thrilled to welcome the ACT church of Sweden and #SAFER_HILLs Consortium members for a partnership meeting to strategize for a grand-breaking start and implementation of the #SAFER_HILLs work in Uganda.

@ACTAlliance @Sida
@SwedeninUG
@LWF_Uganda
@WalkingSchool

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Today, we hosted a team from CDC-Uganda, IDI Makerere, and Reach Out Mbuya for an experience-sharing session. The discussion centered on the recent "Stop Work Order" impacting access to HIV response services, which was triggered by the 90-day freeze on US aid following the signing of an executive order by the @POTUS administration.

@IDIMakerere, @Reachoutmbuya @POTUS
@CDCgov

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

In challenging times, we need more than just partners—we need allies who truly and deeply value the feminist values of sisterhood and solidarity. Today, we are honored to welcome Ms. Sheila Muwanga from AJWS for a partnership and courtesy visit, reflecting on our past achievements and the impact of AJWS funding on AWAC’s grassroots work in Uganda. Sheila and the entire AJWS team, your support has brought smiles to our members' faces during this particularly difficult period, marked by both public health emergencies like Mpox, and the "Stop Work Order."

#AWAC_Partnerships

@ajws
@SheilaMuwanga
@KyomyaMacklean1

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

As the #MiPOWER_Project gains momentum, we're thrilled to welcome Ms. Solome Nakaweesi, a seasoned international development consultant and Pan-African feminist activist. This commissioning meeting marks the beginning of her leadership on three critical assignments: an advocacy capacity assessment for AWAC's grassroots members and staff, a review of some of AWAC's institutional policies, and the development of the "Let My Pussy Talk" manual for AWAC grassroots members. We're excited to leverage Ms. Nakaweesi's expertise in women's human rights, sexual health rights, feminist movements, organizational development, transformative leadership, and human rights and governance to drive meaningful impact in strengthening our grassroots members’ advocacy capacities.

@Amplify @amplifyfund
@SonaKimb @KyomyaMacklean1

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

NOTICE TO THE AWAC STAKEHOLDERS ON THE "STOP WORK ORDER"

At AWAC, we are committed to ensure our stakeholders are supported during this unprecedented time.
Our work has been disrupted by the "STOP WORK" order (emanating from the declared 90-day US aid freeze), thus affecting the key services we deliver, especially in HIV response.
We would like to notify you on the changes in our Drop-in Centre operations and services still available during this extremely challenging time.
Please find the communication below on the current status of our services.

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Happening:

Validation meeting for a report on assessing cervical cancer screening access & uptake among Women Living with HIV (WLHIV) & Female Sex Workers (FSWs) with HIV, as well as HPV vaccination for their children (girls aged 9-14) in 7 Ugandan districts: Mayuge, Namayingo, Busia, Hoima , Masindi, Kamuli, and Bugiri.

Carried out by: @awacuganda , @mowhawomenat40, and @UNYPA_Official

A lot for thanks to our partner @UNAIDS_UG for the technical and financial support towards this study.
#CervicalCancerStudy

@MinofHealthUG

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Leila Wairimu from HACH Kenya emphasizes that they initially started as a support group because the recovery journey for women who use drugs is challenging. They rely on peer-to-peer support and actively engage with communities to identify women who have not yet accessed treatment options like methadone. Women who use drugs face a high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and are frequently subjected to arbitrary arrests by the police. Through their support groups, they assist arrested women by providing them with essential medication.
Additionally, she underscores the importance of sharing their stories.

#WomenHarmReductionCoalitionUG

@NextgenlawyersK @UNODC @RuvaLucia @KyomyaMacklean1

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Leila Wairimu from HACH Kenya narrates their tale of work and how they initially started as a support group to support women who use drugs. This is because the recovery journey for women who use drugs is challenging. They rely on peer-to-peer support and actively engage with communities to identify women who have not yet accessed treatment options like methadone. Women who use drugs face a high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and are frequently subjected to arbitrary arrests by the police. Through their support groups, they assist arrested women by providing them with essential medication.
Additionally, she underscores the importance of sharing their stories.

#WomenHarmReductionCoalitionUG

@NextgenlawyersK @UNODC @KyomyaMacklean1 @RuvaLucia @UNAIDS @UNAIDS @IDIMakerere

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Harm reduction means, we have to establish quality of individual and community life and well-being not necessarily cessation of all drug use as the criteria for successful interventions and policies.
When we continue to use the word “drug abuse”, we are continuing to create stigma. Most of these words use have come from a political angle —especially from the perspective of criminalization. We need to integrate gender sensitive services, such as SRHR services into harm reduction. Wangari Kimemia -Harm Reduction Consultant -Kenya

#WomenHarmReductionCoalitionUG

@NextgenlawyersK @ViiVHC @hivos @KyomyaMacklean1 @IDIMakerere @DutchMFA @UNODC @WHOUganda

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

Ms. Kyomya Macklean, Executive Director of AWAC Uganda, shares insights from the community, emphasizing how women who use drugs are disproportionately affected during public health emergencies, such as Mpox outbreaks. She highlights that women in sex work hotspots have faced even greater challenges in such crises. She further spotlights the lack of safe spaces where women who use drugs can gather and access essential services. Additionally, while Medication-Assisted Treatment programs have been introduced, they lack a strong community component and fail to integrate crucial health services such as Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, and economic empowerment.

#WomenHarmReductionCoalitionUG

@NextgenlawyersK @IDIMakerere @hivos @SSLN_HIV @DutchMFA @UNAIDS
@SwedeninUG @womensfunding @ThinkCREA

[AWAC UGANDA @awacuganda]

As we move deeper into the year, today we were profoundly pleased and blessed to welcome Reverend Canon Prof. Gideon Byamugisha in a special thanks giving and commissioning service for our new site location. Canon Gideon further preached a strong word of encouragement and inspiration to our grassroots members—especially on public openness and Shared confidentiality to combat stigma surrounding
those living with HIV.
We were also honored to welcome Paul Ken—from Canada —one of AWAC friends and well wishers for a meaningful experience sharing session with AWAC grassroots members.

#AWACat10

@GideonBByamugi1