By Emmanuel Lubaale
On 9th December 2024, Uwezo Uganda joined women school leaders under the Uganda National Teachers Union umbrella for the round table Conference on the theme; Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education. The conference was a precursor to the UNATU Delegates that brought together over 500 teachers from across the country.
Together with the Uwezo team, we were
Uwezo Uganda ED and Guest of Honor delivers her remarks at the conference
Not even the early morning chilly weather could stop the energy and smiles on the faces of hundreds of women leaders from across the pearl of Africa as they took another step to push back School-related Gender-Based Violence. Teacher agency and leadership, especially by women educators have proved to address vulnerabilities caused by school-related Gender-based violence. Moreover, women teachers are disproportionately affected – and yet their vulnerability is compounded by structural challenges affecting the sector – including low pay and precarious jobs that expose them to other forms of GBV and other forms of intimidation.
The challenges notwithstanding, women leaders have been identified as pivotal actors in finding solutions to these challenges for example the 2024 UNESCO Global Education Monitoring report makes a compelling case for good school and system-wide leaders to drive education with particular emphasis on enhancing equity that extends education leadership roles to women. Moreover, the UNATU Leadership Team had demonstrated that this is possible, and their case was profiled as a success by the Education Unions Take Action to End School Related Gender Based Violence initiative.
In the midst of challenges related to School-Related Gender-Based Violence comes the unique position teachers occupy in society. As one of the participants retorted, we are trained as teachers but have a lot of extra roles. Unlike other professions, when you make a slight mistake as a teacher, the community gets offended on your behalf. This level of community expectation attributed to the teachers only affirms their unique position in society. As they confront the weight of expectations, they need to be equipped with skills, resources, and ensure a supportive environment for them to thrive. As affirmed by the event keynote speaker, Ms Daisy Aliwaru, knowledge and skills are POWER!
To further affirm their critical role, Ms Joyce Atimango Okker, Executive Director, Trailblazers Mentoring Foundation another keynote speaker, passionately put a case for what makes teachers special from her own experience as a proud teacher. She noted that female educators are uniquely positioned to lead the charge against SRGBV. As role models, they embody resilience, compassion, and integrity. Their presence in classrooms inspires young girls to pursue their dreams and young boys to respect and value their female peers. They hold the POWER to influence attitudes and behaviors, dismantling harmful gender norms and fostering a culture of respect and equality.
It was not surprising that the energy in the space was extraordinary and as Uwezo Uganda Executive Director noted, being amidst the wonderful women leaders was a truly refreshing experience!
In their regional clusters, they showcased entrepreneurial skills – and shared stories of resilience and courage amidst adversity. In their small ways, women school leaders were reminded about the weight of expectation that comes with being a teacher.
The role of teachers in leading the charge to nurture life skills and values was recognised by the Hon Margaret Rwabushaija who challenged them to develop a positive attitude toward nurturing life skills and values among learners, and further mentioned that demonstrating life skills and values was the surest way for them to remain relevant in their communities.
It’s for this reason that Faridah Nassereka (in the picture), Senior Program Officer Assessment, Action & Research delivered a session that highlighted how values and life skills can be utilised as a tool for addressing School-based Gender-based Violence. She narrated her eye-opening experience with a teacher at the conference that reinforced the pivotal role of teachers in nurturing and supporting the acquisition of life skills and values. While reflecting on the adage, "You can't give what you don't have", she emphasised the need for teachers' capacities to be enhanced in acquiring the requisite skills.
Looking ahead
In women school leaders, Action for Values and Life Skills and partners have a valued partner that is well placed to drive the nurturing of values and life skills. What is needed is to extend opportunities that engage them more through capacity enhancement to support learners, transform schools and communities and equip them to confront the vulnerabilities that expose them to GBV.
Let us remember that change begins with each of us! As educators, leaders, and mothers, our influence is immeasurable. Let us rise to the challenge of ending SRGBV and creating a brighter, more equitable future for our children
The writer is an Independent Consulting Party with Uwezo Uganda
