News and Media
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Early Career Empowerment Workshop
Are you early in your career or know someone who is? HERS Network has organized a virtual Early Career Empowerment Workshop to equip you with the tools and mindset to navigate your professional journey with intentionality and confidence. You will gain knowledge into career decisions, craft your personal values narrative, and discover actionable strategies for advancement. The workshop is ideal for assistants, associates, coordinators, faculty members, and dedicated staff members in the early stages of their careers. Don't miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and set the stage for a fulfilling future. Sign up today, click here to register.
ESC2023 Award in Excellence
ESC official (left), Prof. Khaitsa (center) and Ms. Lumutenga (right)
HERS-EA scooped the prestigious Award in Excellence, in recognition of work done as an engaged partner, connecting Higher Education Institutions and their communities. The award was presented to Professor Margaret Khaitsa, Chair HERS-EA Board and Ms. Naomi Lumutenga, Executive Director, HERS-EA, at the ESC2023, hosted by Michigan State University, last October.
Progress regarding HERS-EA book, expected to be released in 2024
Following a delay due to editor changes with the publisher and our own busy schedules, the book project that had been delayed was revisited, with new rigor with the new acquisitions editor, Dr. Alison Jefferson. Following a meeting with Alison in October 2023 there is a drive to submit the manuscript by the end of March 2024. The book is an edited volume comprised of 15 chapters authored by HERS-EA and partners, around re-imagining women leadership.
Dr.Nansubuga’s leadership project scopes a grant award from AAP
Dr. Nansubuga presenting her paper at Michighan State University in October
Dr.Elizabeth Nansubuga's visionary leadership project successfully garnered the attention and support of the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), resulting in a grant award. Her project, which focused on “Advancing Women in Research and Leadership at Higher Education Institutions in East Africa: ADVANCE FORWARD”, aligned seamlessly with the AAP's vision mission and commitment to promoting research. The grant played a pivotal role in funding HERS-EA 6thAcademy and four other workshops. With this funding, she aimed to equip women in HEIs with leadership and management skills to navigate institutional and personal barriers to career advancement. Dr. Nansubuga's leadership project was developed during the HERS-EA’s one week Academy training on leadership and management.
HERS-EA speaking engagement at the 67th UN CSW67
Ms.Naomi Lumutenga, HERS-EA Executive Director presented the unique HERS-EA model at a parallel event during the 67th UN Committee on Status of Women (CSW67). It was one of the events that marked this year’s international Women’s Day. The theme for this year's celebration, which resonated with the HERS-EA model,focused on 'Innovation and Technological Change, and Education in the Digital Age for Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Women and Girls. The HERS-EA model, with its emphasis on education, leadership, and advocacy,aligns well with the broader goal of empowering women globally in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities. The parallel event at CSW67 provided a platform to showcase how HERS-EA's approach can contribute to advancing women's empowerment, especially in the context of higher education institutions and beyond. The international stage of CSW67 allowed for sharing insights, exchanging ideas, and fostering collaborations that can further amplify the impact of the HERS-EA model on women's leadership and gender equity.
Strengthening Collaborations and Partnerships
Strengthening collaborations has been HERS-EA’s key focus this year, notably through partnering with Makerere University School of Public Health (Mak SPH) in the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) project on gender equity in HEIs. This collaborative initiative aims to address gender disparities and promote equity in HEIs. Through this partnership, there is a shared commitment to advancing gender equality in HEI policies, research, and practices.
Additionally,HERS-EA collaborated with ScientifyResearch, a notable organization in the scientific research domain. Ms. Naomi Lumutenga and Prof. Margaret Khaitsa represented our collective efforts at a virtual webinar hosted by ScientifyResearch on March 7th. The theme/topic of the webinar emphasized research funding. Moreover, ScientifyResearch actively participated in the HERS-EA Academy, where they presented valuable insights on finding research funding for women and researchers in developing countries. As a gesture of support,ScientifyResearch offered a subscription waiver for one month to HERS-EA alumnae, fostering ongoing collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the two organizations.
Global Academy for Professional Learning and Development (GAPLD) stands out as another crucial partner in our network. Specializing in providing training for executives, including senior leaders, board members, and coaching for non-profit organizations, GAPLD plays a pivotal role in enhancing leadership skills within our community. For further information or collaboration inquiries with GAPLD, please write to dale@gapld.com
Together, these collaborations underscore our commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collective efforts towards shared goals in gender equity, scientific research, and professional development.
Highlights from the HERS-EA Sixth Academy, July2023
The sixth Academy, held in July 2023, was a transformative event organized under the theme "AND STILL I ARISE," inspired by the powerful words of Maya Angelou. The welcome remarks were delivered by Prof. Margaret Khaitsa, the Co-Founder, and Board Chair of HERS-EA, setting the tone for a week of empowerment and growth. The keynote address was given by Prof. Maggie Kigozi, a Medical Doctor and Board Chairperson of Makerere University Endowment Fund(MAK-EF). Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, the host institution for HERS-EA, extended a warm welcome to the keynote speaker.
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Prof. Nuwangwe (left), Prof. Kigozi (center) and Prof. Khaitsa (right) at the opening ceremony of the sixth HERS-EA Academy
Through out the week, participants delved into topics centered around three key themes: (1)Personal Development, (2) Institutional Development, and (3) Networking. The diverse range of subjects covered provided a holistic approach to leadership and empowerment, fostering growth at both personal and institutional levels. As the Academy aimed to empower individuals to rise above challenges, the discussions and workshops were designed to inspire, equip, and connect participants
An Academy report capturing the highlights and insights from the event will be shared soon, accompanied by announcements for the upcoming 7th Academy. The 6thAcademy not only provided a platform for learning and development but also served as a testament to the resilience and empowerment encapsulated in the theme "AND STILL I ARISE."
Pre-Academy Workshops on Sexual Harassment and Male Allyship
HERS-EA in collaboration with Center for Gender in Global Context - Michigan State University (GenCen) and Makerere University held two virtual pre-Academy workshops to address issues of sexual harassment in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and importance of male allyship.
In April 2023, the Sexual Harassment workshop was facilitated by Dr. Tabitha Mulyampiti and Ms. Susan Mbabazi from Makerere University, Uganda, and Ms.Naomi Lumutenga from HERS-EA. The workshop attracted 17 participants from Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda. The event facilitated open discussions on the challenges faced by participants in their institutions, highlighting the lack of sexual harassment policies and inadequate implementation where they existed.A key insight was the need for active male involvement in policy advocacy, with an emphasis on data collection and research to protect victims and unmask perpetrators. The workshop's outcome includes the potential production of a short documentary on sexual harassment in HEIs.
In May 2023, a Male Allyship workshop, led by Dr. Kevin Brooks from Lakehead University in Canada and Mr. Eric Tumwesigye from Makerere University in Uganda, gathered 14 participants from five institutions across East Africa.Focused on understanding systems of inequality and fostering male allyship, the workshop aimed to develop a culture of equity through advocacy and accountability. Participants gained knowledge on sexual harassment, male privilege, and the importance of addressing gender inequalities in recruitment,retention, and promotion. The workshop encouraged participants to create gender accountability systems at personal, community, and institutional levels. The anticipated outcome involves cross-institutional interventions and bench marking to address gender inequalities, with participants expected to report on the impact of gained knowledge within six months.
Post-Academy workshops on Grants and Academic Writing
Just like the pre-Academy workshops, the two post-Academy workshops was put together by HERS-EA in collaboration with Center for Gender in Global Context - Michigan State University (GenCen) and Makerere University. They were both hybrid events.
From July 10 to 12, 2023, an Academic Writing and Publishing workshop, led by Dr.Margaret Khaitsa, Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, and Ms. Naomi Lumutenga, took place at the Grand Global Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. The hybrid event, with both in-person and online participation, engaged 14 scholars from six institutions.The workshop focused on disseminating research findings, fostering collaborative partnerships, understanding writing and publishing processes, and translating scientific research for policymakers and communities. Participants received guidance on manuscript preparation, identified traits of predatory journals, and had dedicated time for intensive writing and peer reviewing. The outcome may include potential publications and the birth of a journal, facilitated by ongoing follow-up between organizers and participants.
A picture of some participants during a session
Following this, the Grant Writing Workshop occurred on July 13-14, 2023, with the same institutions and scholars. Led by Dr. Margaret Khaitsa and Ms. Naomi Lumutenga,the blended (virtual and in-person) event aimed to enhance expertise in identifying active grant calls, understanding grant application processes, and developing skills in creating grant budgets. Participants engaged in hands-on activities, such as creating synopses and reviewing funded projects, fostering knowledge in grant management. The workshop also emphasized building strong partnerships, transforming leadership projects into fundable ones, and understanding Northern/Southern partnerships. The anticipated outcome includes possibilities of inter-institutional partnerships, collaborations for grant applications, and potential funded projects developed from the Academy leadership projects.
HERS-EA Celebrates Alumnae Achievements as it Plans 10th Anniversary Celebration
In a proactive initiative, HERS-EA recently conducted site visits to four prominent universities, reconnecting with its alumnae at Gulu University, Kyambogo University, Uganda Christian University, and Makerere University in month December. The visit, led by the Executive Director, Ms. Naomi Lumutenga, and Administrator, Ms. Racheal Namubiru Auma, aimed to monitor the progress of alumnae in their leadership projects and career paths. Additionally, the team used this opportunity to announce the upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration and address various pertinent matters.
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From left to right - Dr. Nkambwe, Ms. Lumutenga, Prof. Mushengyezi, Prof. Chibita, Prof. Bacwayo and Dr. Bulyaba
During these visits, courtesy calls were extended to the offices of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Gulu University, Prof. David Okello Owiny and the Vice-Chancellor at Uganda Christian University, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi. These interactions provided a platform for fruitful discussions, fostering possible collaboration between HERS-EA and the university leadership. The visits not only showcased the commitment of HERS-EA to supporting its alumnae but also highlighted the significant impact these women are making in their respective fields and communities.
