The COVID19 pandemic has caused devastating disruptions the world over. The impact will continue to be felt by all, albeit in varying degrees.

In Uganda, government is unable to squarely deal with the effects; especially for its vulnerable population, including women, girls and persons with disabilities.

The emergency measures and realities dawned by the COVID-19 pandemic expose women and other vulnerable sections of the society to negative impacts such as rise in maternal mortality rates, challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health services, domestic violence, increased poverty, gender-based violence and an escalating teenage pregnancy problem. The lockdown and the months that followed continue to exacerbate inequalities.

Westminster Foundation for Democracy, the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), and Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) have developed this policy brief to guide on key issues that the 11th Parliament of Uganda needs to consider on COVID19 and women/girls, during the exercise of its four functions of representation, legislation, oversight over the executive and the judiciary. It follows a series of engagements with women and girls in different parts of the country, including in refugee settlements. The brief proposes reforms aimed at building more equal, inclusive, and sustainable economies and societies.