Ngora District faces severe droughts affecting water access. In response, the Titidiek Asianut Women’s Group, founded in 2006, launched gender-inclusive climate resilience projects. In 2017, they received funding from Uganda’s EURECCCA project, a $7.7 million initiative to improve water management across three catchments, including Awoja. The group was supported to produce energy-efficient Rocket Rorena stoves from local materials, reducing fuel use and enhancing livelihoods. These efforts help mitigate drought impacts, which cause over 80% of agricultural losses, and address climate-related disasters threatening resources and food security.
Background
The problem context
The challenge that was being addressed is the community’s vulnerability to drought-related water scarcity which adversely impacts their livelihood. The drought spells were having significant impact on food and water resources. Titidiek Asianut Women’s Group aim was to improve drought resilience by promoting the adoption of energy-saving cookstoves, thereby reducing fuel consumption, easing the burden of fuel wood collection, and enhancing overall energy efficiency. Titidiek Asianut Women’s Group leveraged the production of energy-saving stoves to generate income for its members and promote the adoption of the appropriate technology within the communities. This initiative sought to both mitigate the effects of drought conditions and also build their resilience through improving health and safety, and foster sustainable livelihoods through increased energy efficiency and resource conservation.
Methodology
The Titidiek Asianut Women’s Group employed the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology to raise awareness among its members. GALS is a community-driven household approach that utilizes participatory techniques and visual diagrams to empower both women and men to challenge societal norms that perpetuate gender inequality and collaboratively plan for their future. Through GALS, the group crafted their shared vision for change, recognized their strengths and achievements, and worked together to address gender disparities within their community. This process fostered self-directed economic and social transformation at individual, household, and community levels. The group also developed Vision Road Journeys (VRJ- Fig 3) to articulate their aspirations for change and utilized the Challenge Action Tree (CAT) tool to identify and collaboratively address drought-related challenges.
Photo by Ojo Moses
Actions taken
Decision taken
The decision taken to start the action was to initiate a group amongst women and youth supported by the village local council to reduce their vulnerability to drought. The strategy was to use energy security to improve their livelihoods. The group is composed of 48 members including elderly women, youth (girls) and a few men. The overall objective of the group is to promote savings, foster collaboration, and exchange ideas on tackling drought-related challenges by encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient cookstoves amongst the group members and within the community. This approach was seen as a strategy to manage fuel consumption, increase income, and support members and the community in building resilience against the impacts of droughts. The leadership role was initially taken up by the elderly women in the group and these were very instrumental in defining the objectives of the action to take. Overall, the entire group actively participated in shaping the group's objectives. Strategically, the group appointed the local council chairperson as their advisor leveraging on his influence and aiming to garner support from potential donors.
Action
The EURECCCA Adaptation-funded project provided a grant of over USD3,000 to support the group in realizing their goal of enhancing drought resilience by manufacturing energy-efficient stoves. To achieve this, the group organized community education and awareness campaigns, including seminars and outreach programs to its members and the community. These initiatives aimed to educate members—particularly women—about sustainable energy practices, drought resilience, and conservation techniques. The GALS tools, namely VRJ and CAT, played a crucial role in guiding and focusing the group vision. The goal was to empower and train women in these vital areas to ensure the long-term sustainability of their efforts. Additionally, the group engaged local authorities in advocacy activities focused on drought management and renewable energy incentives. The primary tools used in the capacity-building initiative are straightforward educational materials, such as posters and leaflets featuring graphics on water and energy conservation. The Ministry of Water and Environment team provided essential technical expertise and innovative solutions throughout the process.
Overall, a multi-stakeholder approach was adopted, guiding the entire effort toward the development of energy-efficient stoves.
Outcomes
Achievements
Regarding achievements, the Titidiek Asianut Women’s Group divided itself into three subgroups for more efficient and effective management. Each subgroup produced approximately 700 energy saving cookstoves, totaling around 2,100 stoves for the 3 subgroups. This resulted in a substantial income for the group. With the sizes of cookstoves varying in size, the prices were different. The cookstove price range was from USD 7 to USD11, generating an overall income of about USD 20,000 from the project. The distribution of earnings was in accordance with the group’s established legal frameworks. The project led to increased income for members, cost savings through energy-efficient practices, better health outcomes (smoke-free cooking stoves), reduced domestic violence, improved tree/forest conservation, job creation and enhanced community well-being. It also strengthened social cohesion within the group and the wider community. The energy saving cookstoves are also reducing emissions (GHGs). Overall, the intervention is contributing to drought resilience of its members and the community neighbourhood.
Cross-learning
The group’s innovative approach has become a case study for a wider audience, attracting visitors—including policymakers—who seek to learn from their actions. These developments have the potential to inform the creation of regulatory frameworks on drought resilience and energy efficiency, as well as new institutional structures for water and energy management. Furthermore, the initiative could lead to training programs for local technicians and community leaders.
Beneficiaries
The primary beneficiaries are local communities, who now experience improved drought resilience and energy access. Government agencies have benefited through reduced crisis response costs, such as those incurred by the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Emergencies, while private partners have gained from sustainable investment opportunities by supplying raw materials for stove construction. However, stakeholders resistant to change or with competing interests are considered the main losers in this process.
Sustainability
In terms of sustainability, the project’s strengths include the use of renewable energy sources, which reduce operational costs and dependence on external fuel supplies. It also enhances community resilience through income generation from stove activities, promotes community ownership and maintenance, and contributes to policy reforms that institutionalize sustainable practices. Overall, the project fosters long-term resilience and sustainable development within the community.
Lessons Learned
This case underscores the need for holistic, integrated planning using the Gender Action Learning systems, that links drought resilience, energy and community needs. Coordinated, sectoral policies promoting renewable energy can enhance resilience & sustainable development. The initiative aligns with NDV IV, focusing on employment and wealth creation, and advances SDGs 1, 3, 5, 7, and 13.
The challenges of drought are common in many regions worldwide, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. The lessons learned are widely applicable to countries facing similar vulnerabilities, such as those in the sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. The principles of integrated management and community participation are universally relevant for enhancing resilience against drought-related disasters.
