About us

We are GWAD – The “Grassroots Women’s and Men’s Association for Development (GWAD)”. Based in Gulu, Uganda, we are an officially registered and well-established non-profit organization. We are politically and religiously independent. Our goal is to reduce poverty at the grassroots level. To do so, we empower rural communities around Gulu economically, socially, politically and culturally. To learn more, check our accomplished and current projects.

Our History

GWAD was founded in 1998, when a group of women saw the need for capacity building. During that time, Gulu was highly impacted by the war between the Lord Resistance Army and the Government of Uganda. Especially the women and children as the most vulnerable people suffered from this situation without being able to participate in decision-making. This presence of injustice, inequality and abuses of human rights lead to the formation of GWAD by women wanting to participate in peace building as well as enabling grassroots women to stand to their needs and improve the living conditions of themselves and the communities at large. GWAD was therefore formed to advocate, mobilize and promote participation of the grassroots communities as a means of peace building on the phrase:

“Happy Women - Happy Nation”. 

Vision and Mission

Until today, our vision is to transform the lives of these women, men and whole communities from poverty, insecurity and injustice to prosperity and equality. 

Our mission is to mobilize and promote the participation of grassroots people to empower them to respond to the needs of their households, communities and enjoy their right to a decent life in dignity. Therefore as GWAD, we empower women and men to improve their socio-economic security to enable them to stand up for their human rights.