Networking is another critical programme area for the Network. This program area focuses on movement building. UWONET recognises that in order for its advocacy to achieve the desired impact, networking is key and therefore must be continually built and strengthened. UWONET also recognises that the Network is only as strong as the sum total of its part and thus each part needs to be strengthened organisationally and through increasing their advocacy skills base. UWONET further recognises that at the core of a collective voice are relationships among members working together under UWONET and these relationships must be nurtured and helped to flourish.

Strategic Objective:

To promote a strong well coordinated, interrelated and interdependent network with a highly skilled and committed membership that is strategic in tackling women's concerns.

UWONET focuses on:

* Providing and promoting a reflective space for reviving and re-energizing the women's movement as well as nurturing inter-generational interaction and inter-relation hence ensuring continuity.

* Promoting methods of work that enhance inclusiveness, collectiveness and participation. Acknowledging unity in diversity, UWONET will promote networking among membership, locally regionally and internationally.

* UWONET focuses on strengthening the capacity of the membership through organization development (OD) and skills building in order to be key actors/players both in the women's movement and at national level.



The Key Activities under this programme include the following:

Activity 1: Participatory Needs Assessment to establish membership need
As follow-up of one of the recommendations of the UWONET evaluation of the previous programme 1999-2003, the Network shall undertake a participatory needs assessment at the beginning of the programme period to establish the needs of the membership.

Activity 2: Advocacy skills training and capacity building for UWONET membership
Annually, UWONET organises advocacy skills training workshops for the membership and its allies with the aim of having a core group of public policy analysts, lobbyist and advocates. The training also strengthens the membership for effective learning, information sharing, commitment and participation in the Network activities. UWONET prioritises the training of its membership on policy analysis and advocacy so as to groom a novice among its membership who will be involved in lobbying activities of the Network.

Activity 3: Monthly press briefings on topical women's issues
UWONET as a national coalition of women's organisations works towards keeping women's concerns on the national agenda through organising monthly press briefings. The briefings are done by the members who deliberate on topical issues depending on relative advantage and areas of specialty. This activity has not only sustained women's concerns on the national agenda but also given the membership visibility.

Activity 4: Chief Executives quarterly forums
UWONET recognises that the Chief Executives of the member organisations need to actively be involved in Network activities. To that effect, the forums are used for exchanging ideas since they are the policy makers of the member organisations. These forums aim at increasing information flow and commitment of the policy makers of the member organisation to UWONET activities so as to ensure sustainability of the Network programmes.

Activity 5: Joint Fund raising Activities
UWONET strives to undertake joint fund raising activities between the Secretariat and membership. This would ensure that collective activities are undertaken for solidarity building as well as involving most of the members in UWONET activities.

Activity 6: Organize Inter generational Dialogues
As a way of facilitating active mentoring, exchange learning and increasing solidarity between seasoned women activists and young women, intergenerational dialogues are organised. These sessions are used to groom more activists who will eventually carry forward the activism on women's rights. They are also used to increase dynamism, vibrancy and activism in the women's movement from strengthened ties between the young and old members.

Activity 7: Annual Networking Day and Net worker of the Year Award Ceremony

One of the main reasons as to why UWONET exists is to promote networking among women in Uganda and other development partners. UWONET plans to have an annual national networking day for women in Uganda. The day will be aimed at bringing together women activists to share experiences, information and ideas on various campaigns and the best practices in advocacy. Each year, UWONET will select an appropriate theme for the day and hold an exhibition of information generated about women in Uganda. The day will be used as an opportunity to know who is doing what, where and how. It will also strengthen the participation of women in Uganda in the activities of the Network.
On this day too, UWONET will bestow a net worker award to individuals and organizations that have excelled in networking in a specific year. This initiative is aimed at fanning the flame of women rights activism in Uganda.

Activity 9: Local, Regional and International Networking
UWONET subscribes to a number of organizations within the country, in the region and internationally so as to enhance its advocacy agenda. UWONET subscribes to a number of regional and International networks and has exploited its membership to these organizations by including onto their agenda the concerns of women. In addition, UWONET has a number of partnerships within Uganda, in the region and internationally. In the above networking initiatives, UWONET is always invited to participate in national, regional and international meetings that play a big role in enhancing networking.

The key outputs/outcomes of the Networking programme are:

* Improved cohesiveness among and between UWONET members
* Collective activities undertaken among membership and allies for solidarity building
* There is increased networking at regional and international level networks.
* Member organizations and other stakeholders have annually received lobbying and advocacy skills training.
* Active mentoring of young women activist by older/ experienced activists in the women's movement and Inter generational Dialogues are giving feedback to the womens movement in terms of new strategic issues to give attention to.