This issue highlights the origins and mission of the IWCA Uganda Chapter, established in 2010 to address gender inequalities in Uganda’s coffee industry. With support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), the Chapter launched a project focused on empowering women for equitable and inclusive decision-making within the coffee value chain, particularly in Kampala.

A baseline assessment identified key challenges: limited female representation in leadership, low awareness and application of gender-sensitive laws, domestic violence, and scarcity of gender-specific policies in the coffee sector. Recommendations include advocating for research and documentation, lobbying for gender-inclusive laws, promoting financial literacy, supporting women’s participation across the coffee chain, and raising public awareness through media campaigns.

The project aims to strengthen women’s participation, foster networks, engage duty bearers, and ensure gender mainstreaming in policies and decision-making, contributing to equitable growth in Uganda’s coffee industry.