Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) is seeking the services of a consultant to conduct an intersectional feminist analysis of key SRHR related laws and policies to gauge gaps in provisions and make recommendations on the same.
- Introduction
As one of seven organizations implementing the Joint Advocacy for SRHR (JAS) Programme, Akina Mama Wa Afrika is working to build a progressive movement challenging the deep structures affecting the realization of SRHR in Uganda and across the continent. This involves conducting advocacy to challenge systems and deep analysis on prevailing laws and policies on SRHR that deny women and gender-expansive persons their bodily autonomy and agency. AMwA looks to ensure that women and gender-expansive persons have access to accessible, affordable, and quality Sexual and Reproductive Health services and can enjoy their rights as autonomous human beings.
The JAS programme is a consortium of civil society organizations working on different thematic areas of SRHR namely; HIV/AIDS; LGBTIQ+ rights; Young People; Sex Work; Abortion Rights; Refugees; Access to Medicines and Commodities and Women and Gender. AMwA’s role under the thematic area of women and gender is among other things to ensure that SRHR interventions by consortium partners adopt and center a feminist analysis in all the work done.
- Background
The Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Uganda context analysis done by Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) shows that the existing Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) laws and policies are blind to the people who exist on the periphery of society who are majorly women, girls, sex workers, LGBTQI+ persons and those living with disabilities, yet, even the new laws and policies being enacted do not address their unique compounded vulnerabilities. The recently passed Sexual Offences Bill further elicits exclusion of these groups of people from legal protection by including discriminatory clauses which further perpetuate harm and deny the said groups of people’s rights and freedoms. The bill criminalizes same-sex relations, sex work and provides a very vague definition for what constitutes consent to sexual acts. These provisions further rob women, sex workers and queer persons of their bodily autonomy and agency but also compounds the already existing discrimination from other laws and policies.
Unsafe abortion continues to also significantly contribute to maternal mortality in Uganda.This reality is exacerbated by the fact that access to other forms of contraception is still very low, the high levels of teenage pregnancies and the lack of age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education which leaves young persons who are sexually active with no information to inform their decisions among others. The inconsistencies in interpretation of the said laws and the stigmatization around abortion access in Uganda further mean that it is difficult for women and the medical community to understand when abortion is permitted. As further restrictions continue to come into play aided by religious, cultural, and conservatives forces from the West, it is also clear that feminist organizing in response to current and expected threats need to be consolidated and systemic.
For over two decades, Uganda has made progressive steps towards gender equality and inclusivity of women in various sectors of the economy. For example, the national policy and legal framework strive to uphold gender equality through national policy enactments such as the Equal Opportunities Commission (2007), National Gender Policy (1997 and revised in 2007), Uganda Vision 2040, National policy guidelines, and service standards on sexual reproductive health and rights (2012), the National Development Plan III among other regional and international ratifications like the Maputo Declaration on Gender Mainstreaming 2003, CEDAW and the Sustainable Development Goals. However, it goes without saying that with all these commitments, women, girls and gender-expansive persons in Uganda still face discrimination and find difficulties in accessing quality and affordable sexual reproductive health services. This is the foundation on which we are conducting an intersectional gender audit of the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) legal and policy frameworks in Uganda.
The Gender Audit will provide a much deeper analysis of the existing SRHR policies and laws, their provisions, gaps, limitations, and recommendations for the same.
- Overall objective:
To conduct a deep analysis of the current policy and legal framework on SRHR to assess the extent to which a gender lens and feminist principles are infused in their design and implementation of these laws and policies. This will include;
- Identifying key SRHR related laws and policies that have the greatest impact on the realization of SRHR for women, girls, and gender-expansive persons.
- Assessing the extent to which the current policy and legal framework adopts feminist principles
- Critical analysis of the existing policy gaps and making recommendations based on the gaps identified.
4.0 Methodology
- Identify key laws and policies on SRHR in Uganda and provide justification of choice.
- Provide a context overview of identified laws and policies including circumstances under which it was passed, areas of contestation during consultations, and brief analysis of socio-economic factors frustrating its passage and subsequent implementation.
- Conduct an intersectional feminist analysis of the major provisions within the law/policy and provide recommendations gaps identified.
5.0. Scope of work and deliverables
The consultant will conduct an in-depth intersectional feminist analysis of Uganda’s legal and policy framework in relation to women, girls and gender expansive persons’ sexual reproductive health and rights.
5.1. Deliverables
- A brief inception report outlining how the task will be executed
- A draft research paper to be presented at a validation meeting by the consultant.
- A final research paper with feedback from the validation meeting and reviewers incorporated.
6.0. Timeframe
The Consultant will carry out this project for a period of 15 non-consecutive working days starting from the date of signing the contract.
7.0 Qualification and Experience
The prospective consultant will be selected based upon their experience and proven track record of producing good quality work in research related fields and in a timely manner. The minimum qualifications and experience of the consultant will include;
- A bachelor’s degree in law, Gender studies, Human rights or International relations and other relevant studies desired.
- Relevant experience in conducting research in the field of gender, human rights, and sexual reproductive health and rights.
- Expert knowledge in national and regional legal and policy frameworks on SRHR.
- Deep knowledge of the prevailing context of SRHR nationally, regionally and globally.
- Evidence of grounding in feminism through writing, panel contributions and other spaces is required.
8.0. Fees
The daily rate shall be determined by the level of expertise of the consultant and in accordance with AMwA’s finance regulations. A withholding tax shall be applied to the gross fee depending on the consultant’s country of residence. All costs accruing from this work shall be covered by the consultant under their professional fees.
9.0. Application Procedures
Interested individuals must submit their application by email to [email protected] by 7th July, 2021 with the following documents;
- Personal CV including relevant experience in research with at least 3 references
- Expression of the candidate’s interest detailing why they are most suitable for this work and explaining their approach to the task
- Fees expectations of the consultancy
- Applicant’s sample of previous work in related fields
