![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ugmirror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Gambia.jpg\")
\u201cThis was a godsend learning visit\nsince we realize that we would have made a huge mistake to go ahead with\nimplementation without this trip to Uganda. Our initial idea was to run the\nProgramme like a microfinance but we realize that the social approach that UWEP\ntakes is better if we are to help the most vulnerable women,\u201d Mr. Dibba noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven with the literature review, we\nknew that Uganda among other African countries had a system that is working for\nthe women. We have had chance to look at the application, appraisal,\ndisbursement and recovery processes which are facilitating the well\nimplementation of UWEP,\u201d He added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs. Touray Fatoudeen, a delegation\nmember, revealed that her over 20 years of working in the microfinance sector\ntaught her that microfinance systems with stringent conditions as those imposed\nby conventional banking systems cannot help vulnerable women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe kind of women targeted by a social\nProgramme like UWEP need to be uplifted to a certain level before they are\nintroduced to microfinance and that\u2019s the uniqueness of these women funds,\u201d she\nsaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Bah Siaka, from The Gambian Central\nBank, said they were more or less thinking of a microfinance approach which would\nhave left out the most vulnerable women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The acting Permanent Secretary,\nMinistry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mr. James Ebitu said the\nvisit by the Gambian team was evidence that local interventions are receiving\nrecognition beyond the Ugandan borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He implored the Gambians to ensure that\nbarriers that prohibit rural women from accessing credit like demand for\ncollateral, high interest rates and short repayment periods among others are\neliminated from the Programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe implementation criteria should be\nwomen-friendly and involve the participation of women and the communities in\nwhich they live. Effectively responding to the complaints, proper documentation\nand managing the high demand is also very critical,\u201d Mr. Ebitu noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UWEP has been implemented over the last\nfour years and has to-date financed 10,446 women projects across the country\ndirectly benefiting 130,258 women. The funds recovery has also been impressive currently\nstanding at 77% of the total amount due.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the key benefits of the Programme\nhave been; increased access to affordable credit by women, financial inclusion\nof the women, acquisition of assets, increased income for the women, creation\nof over 110,000 direct jobs and 305,000 indirect employment opportunities,\nreduced dependence and enhanced knowledge and skills for women.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A high level delegation from The Gambia on Friday completed a five-day visit here during which they benchmarked the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) ahead of starting a similar Programme back home. The delegation led by Mr. Bulli Dibba, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare consisted of officials from The Gambian […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27983,"featured_media":12377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_paywall_metabox":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n