As a way of strengthening the institutional capacity of advocacy forums
and rural monitors in demanding & advocating for improved service delivery using
different platforms, ToroDev organized a one day meeting on 31st / 3/2016 at ToroDev
resource centre that brought all the leaders of the forums from Kabarole,
Kyenjojo, Kasese, Kyegegwa, Ntoroko and
Kamwenge districts for further planning
for 2016.
Having
realized the positive outcomes from the interventions of advocacy forums,
ToroDev initiated 8 new advocacy forums in sub-counties with no forums. The
sub-counties include, Harugongo, Bukuku, Karago, Karambi, Kakabara, Kyegegwa,
Kyarusozi and one Media forum in Fort Portal Municipality. During this meeting the
new advocacy forums leaders were introduced to the old ones. The new ones were
inducted on advocacy skills, minimum standards of service delivery, and issues
of public policy, sustainability of the forums, how to use ICT tools like
phones, online platforms, and radios to advocate for improved service delivery
and how to demand accountability without having fights with the duty bearers To
enable rural advocacy forum leaders share their experiences, progress, challenges,
way forward and the future plans with others.
 |
| Some of the new and old members of the advocacy forums attending capacity building training at ToroDev |
The meeting was organized with objectives that
included;
To empower new members/leaders of the new initiated
rural advocacy forums with skills and knowledge in policy advocacy, service
delivery monitoring and broadcasting for accountability, to train forum members
on the minimum standards of service delivery in health and education, to
network members of the rural advocacy forums from different areas for improved so
coordination on issues of policy advocacy since some of the governance issues
are cross cutting and therefore need concerted efforts and
to share information and ideas on breaking the period of shame and to share the
reporting tool with the leaders of advocacy forums.
“Today we are joined with new leaders of 8 advocacy forums we are looking
forward to partner within future, in the last 2 years we have been working with
15 advocacy forums and one journalist forum, out of 15 advocacy forums 3 were
suspended after failing to perform according to the MOUs signed between them
and ToroDev. So today we have 12 old advocacy forums and 8 new ones making a
total of 20 forums, we do appreciate the good work done by the advocacy forums in
advocating for improved service delivery in the Rwenzori Region”. Said
Amanya Sheila M&E officer ToroDev.
Presentations
were made by M&E consultant ToroDev on “How to Break the Period of Shame”. This seeks to improve the
water and sanitation infrastructure
within schools. As advocacy forums you will
further advocate through the schools for changing rooms and emergency changing
uniforms incase a girl got an ‘accident’. Further advocacy is in girls having
separate latrines that are lockable”. Said
Florence Githinji M&E consultant ToroDev during her presentation in the meeting
She further emphasized on “How is your forum going to ensure girls remain in school?” , there
is a big need to train girls on the use of reusable sanitary towels; girls
will be given a hands on training on how to make the reusable sanitary towels,
how to maintain hygiene, how to store them and managing pain while
menstruating.
 |
| Florence during her presentation at ToroDev resource center |
Florence in
her other presentation explained the strategic positioning for ToroDev
programing for the next five years. ToroDev will be specializing in three
sectors, mainly promoting education using ICT in primary schools, promoting
health using ICTs and promoting agriculture using ICTS other sectors of Roads,
energy etc will be cross cutting, from
2016 ToroDev will narrow down to three sectors.
“We need to address challenges of poor service delivery together as leaders
of the advocacy forums, we need to see how we can engage our leaders in asking
them for better services, we can share petitions with the concerned leaders, we
can engage them on radio talkshows, we can organize meetings and call them to
share with us and we advocate for improved services in all sectors. So as
forums we have to speak on behalf of others and advocate for better services,
this can happen if we are organized and have a heart to volunteer because no
one pays us, let’s wake up and advocate for better services”. Said Jane Ahaisibwe
the leader of Butiti Better Youth Forum.
From
this meeting as a new advocacy forum leader, I have gained experience from the
old advocacy forums leaders on how they have been able to do their activities
of monitoring, lobbying and advocacy, I have also known the roles of advocacy
forums, criteria for partnering with ToroDev, thanks to the opportunity given
to us to work with ToroDev.” Said Rugomoka Pascal the leader
of Kihamba advocacy forum Kyegegwa district.
 |
| Mr. Rugomoka Pascal a new leader of Kihamba advocacy forum sharing what he has learnt from the training |
No comments:
Post a Comment