UWCI is a loose Coalition that was formed to advocate for gender sensitive ICT policy processes in Uganda. It comprises of organisations and individuals interested in gender and ICT issues that work to advocate for gender sensitive ICT Policies and programs. UWCI Secretariat is based at the Women of Uganda Network Offices.

Members of UWCI provide some level of support to achieve shared goals more quickly and with better outcomes than if each organisation worked independently. The UWCI secretariat at WOUGNET offices coordinates activities of UWCI and provides leadership.

UWCI Secretariat

The UWCI secretariat specifically runs the day today activities of UWCI, coordinates all advocacy activities being organised, represents the UWCI at networking meetings both national and International, coordinates fundraising efforts and participates in fundraising for UWCI activities. The UWCI is currently being hosted by WOUGNET. WOUGNET is a non-governmental organisation initiated in May 2000 by several women’s organisations in Uganda to develop the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among women as tools to share information and address issues collectively. The work of the UWCI and the hosting of UWCI secretariat are within the Gender and ICT Policy advocacy program area of WOUGNET

Accomplishments by UWCI

Reviewed the ICT Policy flame work and identified gender gaps/issues and compiled them into a policy briefing paper titled: Gender Issues and Gaps in the Draft National   Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy frame work (2002). Undertook a gender assessment of the Rural Communications Development Fund with the aim of obtaining advocacy information that could be used to advocate for gender sensitive RCDF and including its implementation process. A policy briefing paper on the findings of the assessment was produced as a tool for advocacy. Members of UWCI have participated in several government ICT meetings such as a Consultative workshop on cyber laws and e-justice and Information on Security; ICT/e-governance national planning meetings etc where efforts were made to integrate gender into government documents. Trained policy makers, ICT experts, and Journalists in gender analytical skills.  Gender analysis training was conducted and 24 participants attended the training, these were drawn from various institutions, CSOs government, and private institutions.

Benefits of being a UWCI member

Implement activities that are larger   than what they do themselves as an individual or as an organisation, get involved in activities that need a wide audience or reach for instance a national policy to bring out messages and advocate for gender sensitive policies/documents in private and public forums.

Role of members of UWCI

*Participate in quarterly meetings organised by the secretariat.

*Participate in online meetings e.g. UWCI mailing list and discussion forums

*Provide leadership at selected advocacy events /meetings

*Provide diversified expertise in implementation of UWCI activities such as analysis of policy documents, paper presentations and writings

*Identify/develop ideas that could be developed into program UWCI can implement.

*An open call is made to individuals and organisations working in the areas of gender and ICTs

*Interested individuals and organisation make an application to UWCI   coordinator at the secretariat

*Received applications are reviewed and organisations or individuals suitable to be members are selected

*New members are oriented in what UWCI does  and made to sign an MOU with UWCI Secretariat