Background to Gender Mainstreaming Initiatives in Kyambogo University
Kyambogo University embarked on the process of developing and implementing a Gender Mainstreaming Programme (GMP), in 2010. This process was supported by the Austrian Partnership Programme in Higher Education and Research for Development (APPEAR) through a collaborative partnership among Vienna University of Economics and
Business, Austria, the School of Women and Gender Studies, Makerere University and Kyambogo University. The goal of the programme was to promote gender mainstreaming through research and dissemination, gender-responsive policies and strengthening institutional and management capacities.
In 2011, the programme embarked on scoping studies
to understand the experiences and practices of gender mainstreaming from the following universities: Makerere University and Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda; University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and University of Vienna, Austria.
The findings of the scoping studies were to inform gender mainstreaming initiatives at
KyU. In the same year, the series of gender awareness pieces of training targeting various categories of staff and students at Kyambogo University was conducted.
A detailed situation analysis of the gender terrain at KyU was conducted in 2012. The aim was to have a deeper understanding of the gender issues in relation to the core
functions of the university. The study themes focused on Understanding of and Sensitivity to Gender Issues; Teaching, Learning and Research; Governance and Management Systems; and Welfare of Staff and Students at KyU. The KyU stakeholders that participated in the consultation process included: Top Management, Faculty Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Academic and Administrative Staff, Support Staff, Students’ Guild and Students.
The scoping studies and the situation analysis identified a number of gender gaps in Kyambogo University which informed the development of Kyambogo University Gender Policy (2014).
The Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming was established in 2017 with a mandate of mainstreaming gender and equity in all Kyambogo University core functions which include; strategic policies and plans, institutional structures, leadership and governance, teaching and learning, research and innovation, planning and budgeting processes, staff and students’ welfare and strategic partnerships as guided by Kyambogo University Gender Policy (2014) view the Kyambogo University Gender Policy.
The Directorate is autonomous, housed under the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and headed by a Director with a PhD who is working with two temporary staff to coordinate the implementation of the Kyambogo Gender Policy 2014. The Directorate has two offices and reasonable equipment.
The Directorate is supported by a strong coordination mechanism which constitutes of Kyambogo University Council, the supreme governing body of the University; the Gender Equality Committee chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of Kyambogo University (KyU) and co-chaired by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) with representatives from MDAs & NGOs with a mandate of analyzing issues of Gender-Based Violence and discrimination and provide policy guidance to achieve gender equality and equity. There is also the Gender Technical Working Committee chaired by the Director of Gender mainstreaming (KyU) and composed of Focal Point Persons from Faculties, Schools, Directorates, Departments and Affiliated Institutions of KYU. The GTWC supports the integration of gender and equity principles in Faculty, School, Directorate and Departmental planning and budgeting processes. (TORs for each committee on the website).
The Directorate fulfils its mandate through partnerships and collaborations with other universities/institutions of higher learning both local and international, development partners in education and research institutions, Ministry Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The Directorate also joins the rest of the world to mark the international women’s day focusing based on the annual selected theme.