Since its inception, EASSI
has facilitated a wide range of programme activities in
line with the strategic objectives set at its formation.
Its monitoring role has enabled EASSI to take the lead
in processes aimed at evaluating the implementation of
the PFAs by both NGOs and governments. Among the major
achievements registered over the years are the following:
Documentation and monitoring of post-Beijing progress
within the eight countries of the sub-region. This
exercise provided an update on actions implemented,
challenges encountered, best practices and gaps in
each country. Organising the second Post-Beijing conference
for the sub-region held in Kampala in 1999 was a land
mark event attended by over one hundred NGOs. This
conference contributed to establishing a position
for the sub-region in Addis Ababa during the African
PFA review. A report entitled Progress Since Beijing
was published in 2000. The reports helped to identify
key players around the critical areas hence consolidating
the sub-regional network. EASSI used data from its
monitoring tool to be able to come up with this report.
The trend is set to be strengthened by using databases
and other tools available at the Secretariat. Which
have been developed to assist in monitoring the PFAs
and other programme work
In June 2004, EASSI also effectively co-ordinated
the sub-regional NGO forum to consolidate research
findings on progress made in implementing PFAs on
Beijing+10 and fed the same into the subsequent inter-governmental
forum held in Kigali, Rwanda. The information gathered
similarly went to inform the activities for the region
on the 7th African Regional Conference on Women, (Beijing+10),
held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 6-14 October 2004.
Information dissemination and sharing on activities
to monitor the PFAs has been done through the regular
publication of research findings, activity reports
and the Eastern African Initiatives newsletter. It
also highlights pertinent issues relevant to the sub
region at any given time. To date, fifteen (15) issues
of the newsletter have been published since 1997.
The newsletter is a tool for information sharing for
women and organizations across the sub-region. Among
issues it has tackled are sexual violence, gender
issues in the East African Community, women and land
rights, gender budget initiatives, the role of women
in peace in Burundi, constitutional reform in Uganda
and Rwanda after genocide. EASSI has also published
research findings on Women and Land Rights, the effect
of HIV/AIDS on the livelihoods of women, Monitoring
progress of Beijing +5 and Beijing +10 and others.
EASSI also has a vibrant and interactive website that
has over 3000 hits a month.
EASSI established and /or maintains links and exchanges
ideas with different actors from different countries
of the sub-region and outside the sub-region. These
include ECOSOC, with which EASSI has recently gained
consultative status, the African Center for Gender
and Development (ACGD) United Nations Economic Commission
for Africa (UNECA) based in Addis Ababa Ethiopia,
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and organizations
that have now become EASSI Focal points, namely, the
Kenya Women’s Political Caucus (KWPC) in Kenya,
Tanzania Gender Network Programme (TGNP) in Tanzania,
Christian Relief Development Association (CRDA) in
Ethiopia, National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW)
in Eritrea, IIDA in Somalia, CAFOB in Burundi, Profemme
Twesihamwe in Rwanda and Uganda Women’s Network
(UWONET) in Uganda.
EASSI was on the organising committee for the NGO
Forum of the 7th African Regional Conference on Women
(Beijing+10) held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia from 6-14
October 2004. EASSI mobilised funds from its partners
that enabled at least forty delegates to attend. EASSI
developed materials from its regional evaluation on
Beijing+10 to highlight areas of most progress and
the challenges that still remain. The highlight for
EASSI was its signature campaign calling for peace
that was signed by almost all delegates and resonated
well with delegates from war torn African countries.
EASSI spearheaded the African Gender and Development.
Index (AGDI) research in Uganda, EASSI gained valuable
experience that has enabled it to complete a revised
tool for gathering information. The AGDI was developed
by the African Centre for Gender and Development of
the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
(ACGD/UNECA) and its main objective is to monitor
and report on progress in addressing gender inequalities
in the Africa region. The use of the tool itself was
recently unveiled at the Fourth African Development
Forum on Governance in Africa, (IV ADF) alongside
the Beijing+10 meeting in October 2004. Countries
present received the tool very positively. EASSI will
remain a facilitator but in line with its non-implementation
role, will pass on the implementation phase of this
activity to a partner organisation. EASSI will however
be a leader in the use of the AGDI and will sit on
the National Advisory Panel of the AGDI in Uganda
in its capacity as research organization spearheading
the activity. EASSI intends to integrate the AGDI
tool into its monitoring system to strengthen its
M+E system.
Documenting and monitoring of post-Beijing progress within the eight countries of the sub region
Conducted successful networking visits in Rwanda and Burundi thus identifying with real needs of women from the region
Organising the second Post Beijing conference for the sub-region held in Kampala, in 1999. This conference contributed to establishing a position for the sub-region in Addis Ababa during the African PFA review
Producing and disseminating over 10,000 copies of the Eastern African Initiatives newsletter, which is a tool for information sharing for women and organisations across the region
Producing a report entitled “Progress since Beijing” published in 2000. The report helped identify key players around the critical areas hence consolidating the sub regional network
Co-ordinating the sub-regional Ngo forum to consolidate research findings on progress made in implementing the PFAs. The forum was held in May 2004 in Kigali, Rwanda
Launching the revamped website in July 2007. The website has an active discussion forum, information on each member country, news from the women’s movement and also acts as an advocacy tool
Carrying out intensive research on the situation analysis on food security in the context of HIV/AIDS women’s land rights, and poverty in the region and another on PEAPs, and PRSPs
Hosting the Commonwealth Women’s Network since 2006 to December 2007. The network facilitated about twelve workshops during the Commonwealth Partners’ Forum preceding 8 Women’s Affairs Ministers’ Meeting.
Conducted over seven nine month long young women leadership trainings of young women within the sub region
Conducted anti FGM sensitization workshops with paralegals in Kapchorwa District
The Eastern African Sub-regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI). Plot 87 Bukoto-Ntinda Road, P. O. Box 24965, Kampala, Uganda. Tel: +256-41-285163/285194. Fax:+256-41-285306. E-mail: eassi@eassi.org
