Strengthening Capacity of Local NGOs in Northern Uganda

During a training session, community-based organizations learn how to respond to sexual and reproductive health needs, as well as gender-based violence.

After one year, our five partner NGOs had developed vast knowledge of community mobilization practices and the ability to design and implement successful, sustainable programs.

To address the shortcomings in the NGO sector, the World Bank awarded Pathfinder International a one-year grant for a project focused on building the organizational and technical capacity of five NGOs in three districts in northern Uganda.

After 20 years of conflict, NGOs in northern Uganda are grossly underfunded, overstretched, and ill-equipped to combat the pressing issue of sexual and gender based violence that 62% of women report facing. In addition, local NGOs lack the capacity to assist in providing sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents and youth. Coupled with the high incidence of sexual and gender based violence, the lack of sexual and reproductive health services severely increase the risk of unintended pregnancies and STI/HIV infection. Enhancing the technical and organizational capacity of the NGO sector to respond to such issues is therefore essential when tackling family planning and reproductive health matters.

Pathfinder worked closely with the NGOs to assess existing capacity and to strengthen specific areas by proving cross cutting technical assistance and capacity building in response to common needs. After one year, partner NGOs had developed vast knowledge of community mobilization practices, solid technical competence, and a strong referral network with the ability to design and implement successful, sustainable programs. It is hoped that increased NGO involvement will improve community-level response to, and awareness of, adolescent and youth reproductive health, and sexual and gender based violence.