Research shows that there are varying degrees of disparity in access to opportunities between different social groups. This disparity extends to gender relations. Considering that women constitute over 51.2 per cent of the population, it is important that they have equal access to resources and opportunities if the country is to realise the full potential of its human resources.

Over the past period Lira District-Gender Programmes has engaged in many activities to ensure that both men and women participate equally at every level of social and economic decision-making and development processes. With the limited financial resources available, the section has managed to carry out:

Year Activity Beneficiaries
2008 Gender analysis training workshops ACDOs
2009 Gender and policy analysis trainings LC V Councillors
2010 Sensitisation workshops Community
2010 Gender mainstreaming PDCS and SPC
To date Women involvement in all working committees District Committees

Despite the above efforts, inequalities still remained a persistent feature in the areas of participation in decision making, development activities, judicial cases, sexual harassment etc. There have been indifferent feelings and attitudes towards gender programs and other efforts made to address the gender concerns. Because of the indifferences, it has always been difficult for gender as a cross cutting issue to be incorporated into all departmental development plans.

On the other hand planning sub-sector has now tried to stimulate integration of gender activities/programmes in all departments. This was fairly successful (Gender mainstreaming).

More so, a number of women and the community at large have not fully understood the meaning of gender and its programs. On to that, most women in our community do not have the capacity and confidence to help them stand on their own and participate at every level of development processes. To crown the above there have always been very little financial resources allocated to the section. On the other hand planning sub-sectors have this year 2010/11 stimulated integration of gender analysis and activities in all departments.

Potential
– Formation of planning/gender focal persons in all departments and sub-counties.
– Trained focal persons in gender analysis and sensitive planning.
– The national action plan on women in place acts as a guide and disseminated.
– At least 50% awareness has been done and appreciated.
–
Challenges
– Negative attitude towards efforts to mainstream gender in all our plans.
– Inadequate resource allocation for gender mainstreaming.
– Inadequate affirmative action (plans remain on paper with very limited if any implementation)

Constrains
– Indifferent attitudes by some other people especially men about gender. They think gender is for women.
– Gender inequality is still very high in terms of decision making and control of resources