Women in Law and Development Africa Region Network (WILDAF) with its headquarters and secretariat in Harare, Zimbabwe, was established in 1990.
To establish and facilitate communication among organizations in Africa working in the areas of women, law and development and specifically in the areas of legal education, law and policy, legal services and to further clarify and promote effective ways of using the law as an organizing and educational tool at the local, national and regional levels. It also provides training and advises local groups in designing and improving legal programs and strategies. It coordinates the compilation and exchange of case studies and legal research and also aims at establishing and maintaining a regional emergency response network to respond quickly to serious violations of women's rights.
WILDAF currently has a membership of 14 countries in both Anglophone and Francophone countries in Africa. Each of these countries has established WILDAF at national levels with one member representing the country at the steering committee, the Executive body of WILDAF. Uganda's current representative is Ms Yeri Wakabi, legal officer of Uganda Women Lawyers Association (FIDA).
In Uganda the present members of WILDAF coordinating committee include The Ministry of Women, Culture and Youth, National Council of Women, Action for Development and FIDA. Membership is op to any organization or individual(s) working in the areas of women, law and development.
The committee meets once a month to discuss mutual areas of concern.
WILDAF between 22nd January and 3rd February, 1990 ran a training workshop in Harare with a view to training a team of WILDAF resource persons in the areas of popular legal education methodologies. This was the first of WILDAF activities which will in turn stimulate activities at national levels.
Two members from Uganda were trained namely; Alugresia Akwi Ogojo (ACFODE) and Ms Yeri Wakabi (FIDA), WILDAF - Uganda held a trainers workshop for its members in December 1991. The workshop aimed at establishing an effective strategy for coordinating activities of all organizations carrying out women, law and development related programmes and to strengthen the capacity of its members in carrying out legal education.
For further information about WILDAF contact: Florence Butegwa Regional Coordinator WILDAF P.O. Box UA 171 Union Avenue Suite 204, Stemar House Harare Zimbabwe
Source: ARISE Oct-Dec 1991. Published by Action for Development (ACFODE) P.O. Box 16729, Wandegeya, Kampala, Uganda