Since 2010, COWAD has identified and mentored young people from around Uganda
to advocate for local and national policies that further sexual and reproductive rights.
Because engaging in advocacy can be challenging, COWAD holds hands-on
workshops to prepare young people for negotiations with government officials. Called
Advocacy in Practice, these multi-day trainings involve deep learning and team building.
Participants develop a common language to address sexual and reproductive health
and rights, and use techniques such as role play to approach their government officials.
The Advocacy in Practice workshops are meant to empower young advocates to
enable them apply advocacy skills. Advocates then return to their communities better
equipped to lobby their local governments for policies in support of sexual and
reproductive health and rights.

Local women’s groups are the most effective driver of change for women’s rights,
everywhere. For nearly 10 years, COWAD has financially supported feminists and
women’s groups in more than 80 districts across Uganda that advance sexual and
reproductive health and rights of women and girls.
COWAD employs a trust-based philanthropy model that provides sustained and flexible
funding as well as customized technical assistance defined in consultation with each
feminist or women’s group. We listen to our members and partners and create a true
partnership that supports their strategic priorities, fortifies the work of their groups and
bolsters a movement of resilient advocates who fight for sexual and reproductive rights.
COWAD grantmaking is bold—focused on the policy issues that local advocates have
identified as most strategic, and often, most difficult. This approach has helped achieve
groundbreaking victories for women and girls, including the integration of
comprehensive sexuality education into school curricula; Improved access to youth-
centered and gender-based violence services; Legislative and policy reforms that
increase and/or protect access to abortion; and strengthened local advocacy networks

Ambitious advocacy requires renewal, and COWAD continues to identify new
partnerships, strategies, and opportunities to advance the rights of women and girls in
Uganda
Our financial support to feminists and women’s groups ranges between $100-$1000. To
apply for a small grant, contact grants@cowad.org