Our Student Eva Magambo was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal

On the International Women’s Day on March 8th, 2020, our Student Eva Magambo, from Uganda, was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal for her long professional career advocating for women in her country.

Eva is a student of our Online Master in Global Bioethics M.S.

Eva is a God loving person, a senior citizen, a mother & wife and holds a B.A. Degree in Social Work & Social Administration. She is a Development Practitioner, Gender Activist & Researcher of 25+ years’ professional working experience with local & international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the private & public sector. Such include the Family Planning Association of Uganda, World Learning Inc, the Uganda Red Cross Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development/ National Women’s Council & Ministry of Health. In addition, Eva has extensive experience in policy formulation, policy advocacy; human rights-based approaches and governance programming. She is experienced in HIV/AIDS prevention, sexual reproductive health & community empowerment. Her competencies encompass institutional development & capacity building.

She is very glad to share with us her pictures of her receiving the Golden Jubilee Medal on the International Women’s day.

In her own words she tells us about her professional career:

“I was the Executive Secretary, National Women’s Council (NWC) for 4 years 1999 to 2003. Flagship to the high-level task; Amendment of the NWC Statute (2012) was one of the most rewarding experience during my term of office. Amended statute gave birth to landmark changes in the NWC.  The Clause providing for direct channeling of funds to NWC is among the most impactful and memorable changes that offered a facelift to the NWC. The exciting visit to China (2002) of the NWC Executives and the Executive Secretary was another turning point for the NWC mandate, networks and approaches.

I moved on after 4 years of the NWC; but kept in the spirit and enthusiasm of women and gender matters. I therefore have served as elected women council leader ever since 2005 to date in my Nakawa community; alongside other official and private engagements.

Going by the numerous studies that have alluded to the bad that comes with a lack of financial liberty, my major focus includes inspiring women to achieve financial independence and self-worth.  To this end, several girls and women I have interacted with, have heeded to above mentioned call by forming self -help groups.

Leading by example, in 2009, I initiated the Nakawa Blessed SACCO (NBS) together with fellow Nakawa Division Women’s Council Executives. This was in response to the outcries of women who clearly stated they were not looking for charity, but rather were keen to secure loans to boost their businesses.

Furthermore, in my role as the Treasurer of NBS, I obtained funding for the NBS, from the Commonwealth Foundation and implemented the project titled; Breaking point:

Review of the Progress towards achievement of Millennium Development Goals in Uganda: Commonwealth Foundation Project; 2012.  The women members of the SACCO handled the data collection, thereby acquiring research skills in addition to earning allowances for related research tasks. Earlier; I attracted funding for the Nakawa Division Women Council; from the African Women’s Development Fund (Ghana) and implemented the Project to enhance Governance and Leadership, peace and conflict resolution, in a multi-party-political dispensation, 2007-2008.

Over the years, I have extended my service to vulnerable women beyond the borders of Uganda; and for instance, supported women living with HIV/AIDS, Women forum, Women farmers and Youth groups in Malawi to produce Advocacy strategies and roll out advocacy campaigns. (2015/16). This project was funded by ActionAid International & Denmark.

In my research career, I am a member of the Internal Review Board Research and Ethics Committee, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences. (2014 to date). From the long list of priorities, computer & digital literacy cannot wait; hence I drive women to achieve computer/digital skills.

Thankful to God for the above achievement.”