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The Government of Uganda's first National Gender Policy (NGP) was approved in 1997. The policy provided a legitimate point of reference for addressing gender inequalities at all levels of government and by all stakeholders. The major achievements of this policy include among others, increased awareness on gender as a development concern among policy makers and implementers at all levels; influencing national, sectoral and local government programmes to address gender issues; strengthened partnerships for the advancement of gender equality and women's empowerment and increased impetus in gender activism.Gender issues cut across all development sectors and levels. Therefore assessment of progress, outcomes and impact of interventions to address gender inequality is a shared responsibility for all development actors and agents. However, MGLSD shall be responsible for coordinating M&E of the UGP within the overall government monitoring systems and frameworks. The ministry will act as a catalyst to other sectors on gender responsive monitoring. Process and output indicators shall be periodically designed and reviewed within the Action Plan for the implementation of this policy. 5.3 The specific strategies shall include: (a) Developing and implementing interventions that respond to diverse livelihood needs of women and men; (b) Developing and promoting labour and time saving technologies for the poor women and men; (c) Developing incentive frameworks to improve the earning potential of poor women and men for improved productivity and output; (d) Promoting social protection interventions for poor and vulnerable women and men; and. (e) Developing strategies to eradicate the child labour incidence with emphasis on the exploitation of the girl child.6.0 Implementing the Uganda Gender Policy will be multi sectoral. It is premised in the acknowledgement that the pursuit of gender equality and women's empowerment is a responsibility for all sectors in the development arena. All actors in the public and private sectors have a role to play in the implementation of this policy. Institutions are expected to identify entry points and opportunities for networking and collaboration to ensure synergy and maximum impact in addressing gender inequality. The cross cutting nature of gender implies that the different actors/sectors have the responsibility to finance the gender mainstreaming interventions pertinent to their respective sector. 3.2 The purpose is to establish a clear framework for identification, implementation and coordination of interventions designed to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment in Uganda. The policy is a guide to all stakeholders in planning, resource allocation, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of programmes with a gender perspective. 3.3 Objectives: 1) To reduce gender inequalities so that all women and men, girls and boys, are able to move out of poverty and to achieve improved and sustainable livelihoods; 2) To increase knowledge and understanding of human rights among women and men so that they can identify violations, demand, access, seek redress and enjoy their rights; 3) To strengthen women's presence and capacities in decision making for their meaningful participation in administrative and political processes; 4) To address gender inequalities and ensure inclusion of gender analysis in macro-economic policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.5.0 The priority interventions and action areas are arranged into four thematic areas; livelihoods, rights, governance and macro-economic management. The interventions and proposed strategies are derived from the situation analysis section. Responsibility for undertaking these interventions shall lie with central government ministries, departments and agencies, local governments, civil society organisations and the private sector.5.3 Good governance entails respect for the rule of law, democratization, participation in decision-making, transparency and accountability, and protection of human rights. Gender equity is critical for good governance as it ensures the effective participation of women and men in the democratization process, leadership, decision-making and law enforcement.
