The theme for the Iinternational Women’s Day 2011 is “Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women”.

As WOUGNET joins the rest of the world to celebrate the International Women’s Day 2011, we continue to affirm our Mission - to promote and support the use of ICTs by women and women organisations in Uganda, so that they can take advantage of the opportunities presented by ICTs in order to effectively address national and local problems of sustainable development.

Since May 2000, Women of Uganda Network has strategically planned and implemented her activities to improve conditions of life for women by enhancing their capacities and opportunities for exchange, collaboration and information sharing. WOUGNET uses and applies ICTs to create opportunities for information sharing and the exchange of knowledge. While our emphasis is directed towards Internet-based technologies, we are also interested in how these technologies can be integrated with traditional means of information exchange and dissemination including telephones, radio, video, television and print media.

Through our three core programs – (Information Sharing and Networking, Technical Support and Gender and ICT Policy Advocacy Programs), we have banked on training women and women organizations on use and application of technology as key tools in women empowerment. WOUGNET expects to make a significant contribution to the use of ICTs in Uganda that is in line with the national vision of "a knowledge-based Uganda where national development and good governance are sustainably enhanced and accelerated by timely and secure access to information and efficient application of ICT".

Through ICT Trainings, WOUGNET seeks to build the capacity of women and women organisations to use ICTs in strategic ways that increase their effectiveness and sustainability. This covers not only training in recent developments in the ICT sector by WOUGNET, but also training in ICT provided by other institutions that may be of value to the membership. Most of the training will be available in Uganda, but this section will also cover international and online training opportunities.

Of course challenges like access to ICT infrastructure and affordability of technology tools still stand and have limited women’s ownership of the ICT around the world. Through the Gender and ICT Policy Advocacy Program, WOUGNET continues to build the capacity of network members to effectively influence the formulation and implementation of gender sensitive ICT policies and programs. WOUGNET serves as secretariat for the Uganda Women’s Caucus on ICT (UWCI) to undertake advocacy activities geared towards addressing gender concerns within the ICT Policies and programs

We therefore take this opportunity to thank you: our esteemed partners, donors, members, affiliates and fans for your generous support to women in Uganda (and all around the world) through our programs and activities. Happy Women’s Day 2011!