Introduction

Slum Women’s Initiative for Development (SWID) was started in 2003 by Nangobi Joyce who mobilized and organized other 30 grassroots women who took it upon themselves to mobilize fellow women against the unjust, routine evictions that were taking place in the slum settlements of Walukuba-Masese Division of Jinja, Uganda.  The organization was formed to promote the development of community structures in slum and rural areas to enable poor people especially women own and access land, shelter and basic services in order to improve their overall well-being.

Mission

To strengthen and mobilize the voice, visibility and collectively organize power of women in Busoga Region through changing norms, institutions, policies and practices that perpetuate inequality and violence in both public and private spaces.

Vision

An adequate shelter for every woman

Guiding principles

SWID’s guiding principles are based on the following:-

  • Love for self and others
  • Impartiality
  • Unity
  • Accountability
  • Respect
  • Integrity

Overall goal

The overall goal of the 2019 – 2023 strategic plan is Building a strong movement of women who will make strategic choices about their lives (in as far as land and shelter are concerned) and participate on equal terms with men in bringing about desired changes in the society in which they live.

Strategic areas of focus

Women’s access to land and property is key to women’s economic empowerment as land can serve as a basis for food and income generation, collateral for credit, and a means of saving for the future. Moreover, gender equality in land ownership is essential as it is shown to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen the ability of households to manage economic downturns. Evidence shows that gender inclusion of land rights can reduce domestic violence (Action Aid 2008) and that women who own land are more capable of exiting violent relationships and negotiating safe sex.

In building a strong movement of women who will make strategic choices about their lives to bring about desired changes in the society in which they live.  Three challenges will be addressed in implementing this strategy, including:

  1. Ensure that men and particularly women, have equal rights to economic resources and basic services.
  2. Ending extreme poverty and reducing inequalities so as to ensure sustainable water, land, food and energy.
  3. Institutional and Organizational Development (to build the capacity of SWID to implement and strengthen its mandate).