Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) is collaborating with The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets(PPDA to increase women’s participation in Public procurement in Uganda.
This collaboration aims to enhance the participation of women in public procurement, a sector where women have historically faced numerous barriers.
According to the PPDA Act’s Section 59B, contracts exceeding certain thresholds (30 million UGX for central governments and 10 million UGX for local governments) are earmarked for women and other special interest groups. Yet, despite these provisions, women comprise a mere 1% of participants in public procurement, as revealed by recent research conducted by AFIC. The study titled “Understanding Barriers and Solutions to Increase Women-Led Businesses in Public Procurement in East Africa,” highlights the systemic challenges that hinder women’s engagement in this essential sphere.
Addressing the Barriers
The barriers are complex and multifaceted, ranging from lack of awareness and training to challenges in navigating bureaucratic processes. To combat this, AFIC, with support from the Open Contracting Partnership, is implementing targeted training programs. These sessions equip women with the skills necessary to prepare responsive bids and effectively compete for the contracts reserved for them.
With the support of open contracting partnership, under the Lift Project; AFIC and PPDA are providing training to women on how to prepare responsive bids, guaranteeing data segregation to track participation, and raising awareness about the current opportunities for women across procurement entities among other things.
As of now, 102 women have undergone training, resulting in notable progress. This initiative also emphasizes the importance of data segregation to monitor participation rates and track the success of the program. By informing women about opportunities available across procurement entities, AFIC and PPDA aim to foster a more inclusive environment.
Collaborative Efforts
The initiative has gained momentum through partnerships with various stakeholders, including prominent women’s associations such as the Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL), UN Women, and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD). These collaborations are instrumental in creating a supportive network for women entrepreneurs and fostering a culture of inclusivity in public procurement.
A recent two-day workshop, organized by Open Contracting on July 18, 2024, provided a platform for project teams to reflect on their journey, celebrate successes, and address ongoing challenges. This collaborative approach is crucial for scaling the program and ensuring sustained impact.
Looking Ahead
The ambition of the project is clear: to increase women’s participation in public procurement by at least 15% among engaged project entities. This goal is not just a statistic, but a step towards creating a more equitable economic landscape in Uganda. Future efforts will focus on engaging more stakeholders, scaling the initiative to benefit a larger cohort of women, and providing continuous support to trained women entrepreneurs.
To watch a video on how to prepare responsive bids visit: https://youtube.com/watch?v=slBBpIg9GMg… to learn more about the #Liftproject follow the link: https://bit.ly/4cC44j7 and to findout more on how you can participate in public procurement, visit: https://ppda.go.ug
