By Isaac Ojok, St. Mary ́s National Seminary, Ggaba
The Caritas staff from the entire Gulu Ecclesiastical Province concluded an advocacy training on gender and equality to empower them deliver effective services to the local community.
The training that was held at Margaritha Palace Hotel Lira attracted Caritas Family staff from the Dioceses of Lira, Nebbi, Arua and Gulu Archdiocese with facilitators from Caritas National offices in Kampala.
According to Francis Ojok, Programs Officer Caritas Lira Diocese, the advocacy training was on the other hand meant to promote the global agenda of leaving no one behind. “We want to promote everybody so that when we are giving services, we promote equal opportunity because as Church organization, we encourage equality and fairness,” he said.
Ojok is optimistic that the training shall be beneficial to the participants and community they serve in their respective dioceses through networking with other service providers.
Fairness in giving services and other issues of human growth and development in the society is among the key factors discussed in the training.
In his message, Ojok appealed to the local communities who are the beneficiaries from Caritas activities in the region to always be on the know of what services are available for them. He reminded the local community that it is their responsibility to report cases on any issues that affect human integral growth in the society.
Many participants at the training expressed excitement saying, the training has enlightened and help them identify major issues affecting the human integral growth, citing limited access of women involvement in livelihood activities and other developments.
Caroline Akello, Caritas Field Officer Lira Diocese said, she has learnt a lot from the vast experiences shared by other participants during the training, adding that she is going to instruct her community about what advocacy means and how it works since most people in the community are ignorant about.
Meanwhile, Allan Jawiambe, also Caritas Field Officer from Nebbi Catholic Diocese, revealed that with the knowledge acquired during the training, he will now be able to single out the factors putting to reversal the human integral growth in the society and skilfully address them.
Felix Onenchan, Aquaculture trainer from Gulu Archdiocese said, the training was beneficial to him so much that it will enable him advocate for the rights of the local farmers who are always voiceless.
During an interview, Andio Jimmy, Project Officer for Aquaculture - Arua Diocese said he has able learn how to network with various stake holders in decision making and development.
The training that ended on Friday 12th July 2019 attracted other local government leaders from Lango sub-region especially the Community Development Officers.
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