Strengthening Women’s Leadership and Voice for Improved Household Nutrition in Uganda
Women’s leadership and meaningful participation in decision-making are critical drivers of sustainable development, improved nutrition, and resilient communities. Across many African communities, however, women continue to face barriers to influencing decisions related to access to productive resources, household nutrition, and community development. Limited representation in leadership structures often restricts their ability to shape priorities that directly affect food and nutrition security and wellbeing.
The CAtalyzing Strengthened poliCy Action for healthy Diets and rEsilience programme (CASCADE) is addressing these challenges by strengthening women’s voice, agency, and influence to advance more inclusive and gender-responsive food and nutrition systems across Uganda.
Building Women’s Confidence and Leadership Capacity
In 2025, the CASCADE project implemented structured Women in Leadership trainings for Farmer Field and Business Schools (FFBS) groups in Uganda through Community-Based Facilitators (CBFs) and district facilitators. These trainings focused on strengthening women’s confidence, public speaking, negotiation skills, and participation in both household and community decision-making processes.
As a result, women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles across multiple spaces—including FFBS groups, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), local governance structures, and even cultural and religious institutions. This shift is enabling women to actively shape decisions that directly affect nutrition, livelihoods, and community development.
From Participation to Representation: Women Advancing into Leadership
A significant outcome of this investment in women’s leadership is the increased participation of women in elective positions. In 2026, 242 women supported through the project contested in national and local elections, with 70 successfully elected as local councillors at sub-county and district levels.
These positions provide critical platforms for women to influence the planning, implementation, and monitoring of food and nutrition programmes. Through their positions, women leaders are helping ensure that community priorities better reflect the needs and realities of households, particularly those related to food security, access to services, and family wellbeing.
Expanding Women’s Leadership Across Community Structures
Beyond elective positions, CASCADE has catalysed a broader shift in community leadership dynamics.
In Karamoja and Busoga sub-regions alone, 686 women now hold leadership positions—roles they previously did not occupy. These include positions within health, financial, governance, and community management structures such as Village Health Teams, group leadership, water user committees, school management committees, parish development committees, and local government representation.
Similarly, across Tooro, Lango, West Nile, and Acholi sub-regions, 1,365 women now serve in leadership roles such as chairpersons (377), mobilizers (263), secretaries (332), and treasurers (393).
This growing representation signals a clear shift toward more inclusive, gender-responsive leadership, where women are not only participating—but influencing decisions at scale.
Leadership in Action: A Story of Transformation
Among the women supported by CASCADE is Awor Madoline, a CBF from Adwoa Parish in Lango sub-region.
Out of four CBFs who contested in the area, Madoline was successfully elected as Woman Councillor for Ogur Sub-county, representing Adwoa Parish.
She attributes her success to the confidence and leadership skills gained through the CASCADE Women in Leadership training.
“The training increased my courage to stand before large numbers of people and speak with confidence. CASCADE helped me realize that women can lead and influence change in our communities.”
– Madoline, Ogur Sub-county Woman Councillor, representing Adwoa Parish.
In her new role, Madoline is actively advocating for change on issues affecting women and families, including limited access to productive land, inadequate agricultural extension services, violence against women and girls, and low participation of women in decision-making forums.
Her journey reflects more than individual success—it demonstrates how intentional investment in women’s leadership can translate into greater representation, stronger voice, and tangible influence in local governance systems.
Driving Systems Change Through Women’s Leadership
The CASCADE project is contributing to a sustained shift from women’s participation to women’s influence. As more women take on leadership roles, they are shaping community priorities and resource allocation toward critical issues such as:
- Food security and nutrition
- Water access and management
- Livelihood opportunities
- Access to essential social services
This growing presence of women in leadership is strengthening the responsiveness and inclusiveness of local systems. It is also ensuring that food and nutrition programming is better aligned with the needs of households and communities, particularly those most vulnerable.
Conclusion
The evidence from CASCADE demonstrates that when women are equipped with leadership skills, confidence, and platforms for participation, they move beyond being beneficiaries to becoming agents of change.
By strengthening women’s voice and leadership, the project is not only improving household nutrition outcomes but also laying the foundation for more inclusive and resilient communities across Uganda. Continued investment in women’s leadership will be essential to sustain and scale these gains, ensuring that community systems remain responsive to the needs of all.
Compiled by:
CASCADE Program Manager – Uganda
