Women’s Empowerment
Empowering women through quality education, health and welfare, and capacity building creates success stories.
In Uganda, 32% of women are victims of domestic violence. This equates to 21,000 in Gulu District. 30% of female widows are victims of property grabbing and chased from their homes.
Over 98% of the single mothers we have personally interviewed from our catchment area said that the father gives no support, nor does he visit the children. The three main reasons for separation were domestic violence, alcoholism, and the husband bringing home another wife – often all three challenges were present.
Constructed in 2021-2022, Wajoli House Women’s Empowerment Centre addresses these issues by helping women overcome adversity. Our empowering program supports single mothers, widows with young children and domestic violence victims through challenging circumstances.
By enabling women with skills required for income earning, they can build a prosperous future.
Our program commenced in October 2022 and includes trauma counselling, life skills, adult literacy and numeracy, small business training (including a self-sustainable business plan), vocational skill training, a small business start-up package and follow-up consultations.
It also includes welfare support and healthcare for their families whilst they study, and day care or schooling for their children.
Watch the video to learn more about Wajoli House Women’s Empowerment Centre
Learn about Wajoli House Women’s Empowerment Centre
Women and girls are significantly disadvantaged in Uganda. Girls' education is considerably lower than boys', and yet, in many cases, they are the ones working to support the family.
Abuse of women is a critical problem that is often overlooked. Access to programs where victims of domestic violence can be accommodated and receive trauma counselling and capacity building is essential. Uganda has only thirteen shelters for women; four are in Gulu Region. This is a fraction of the facilities required for the 21,000 women that are victims of domestic violence in Gulu Region.
Wajoli House Women’s Empowerment Centre alleviates the number of unskilled women struggling alone with their children. Our program gives them hope, confidence and teaches them a skill to support their children.
Gloria and Irene, pictured above, lost their homes and everything they own in a fire accidentally started by one of their children. They work tirelessly in the quarry, breaking stone for 80 cents per day to provide food for their families. The challenge of replacing their houses was just too big.
Thanks to your support, their homes were rebuilt, their belongings were replaced — and their dignity has been restored.
Our Thanks to You
We are so grateful to our sponsors, supporters and a grant from the Australian Government that allowed us to get this this critical program up-and-running. With your support, we have been able to construct Phase 1 of Wajoli House Women’s Empowerment Centre where single mothers can stay with their children whilst undergoing their skill training, and run this vital program.
The Future of Wajoli House
Without education and a skill to earn a living, most vulnerable single mothers are unable to give their children three meals a day, healthcare, and an education - and thus, the poverty cycle continues.
With your help, we would like to increase the number of women enrolled each year into the program.
We would also like to construct a local Day Care Centre as we are currently using a small room to cater for the 19 children enrolled in Day Care.
With our first group of mothers graduating in 2024, we are planning to launch our Women in Business monthly meetings to advance, support and inform women on best practice business management.
