Empowering Women, Advancing Conservation: NatureUganda Staff Trained on Gender Mainstreaming

As part of the AfricElle Project — “Women as Champions for Agroforestry, Biodiversity, and Nature Conservation around Protected Areas” — NatureUganda held a Gender Capacity Building and Leadership Development training on Friday, 26th September 2025, at Forest Cottages, Bukoto.

The AfricElle Project, coordinated by NABU and implemented through BirdLife partners in East and West Africa, empowers rural women living around protected areas through capacity building, advocacy, and sustainable livelihoods. In Uganda, the project is implemented by NatureUganda in Kisoro and Rubanda districts around Echuya Central Forest Reserve.

Facilitated by Dr. Viola Nyakato, the training equipped NatureUganda staff with the knowledge and skills to mainstream gender in project planning, implementation, and monitoring. Through interactive sessions, case studies, and group discussions, participants explored how gender equality enhances conservation outcomes and institutional growth.

Mr. Jimmy Muhoozi Muheebwa, Director of Conservation and Partnerships, reaffirmed NatureUganda’s commitment to women’s empowerment, emphasizing that gender inclusion is integral to achieving lasting conservation impact.

Key takeaways included the need to develop a Gender Policy, integrate gender-sensitive indicators in project monitoring, and continue building internal capacity for gender-responsive programming.

This initiative marks a significant step toward making NatureUganda a more inclusive organization—one where women and men work equally as stewards of nature and champions of community transformation.