PHIDS Project
Promoting Human Rights and Innovations in the Digital Space (PHIDS) is a Rights-Based Approach to build capacity of local institutions and communities to address social injustices and human rights violations in the community with particular focus on women’s land rights.
U-TOUCH and partners are strengthening capacities of communities and institutions including HRDs, journalists and local media practitioners using digital technology to promote human rights in the community. The digital component to achieve this goal involves the use of SMS, radio-based platform and social media to increase access to information and community awareness on women’s rights. Increasing access to information and empowering HRDs and journalists will therefore help to address the challenge mentioned.
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS
U-TOUCH believes in a society where young people have adequate access to computer technology resources and can utilize them to devise innovative solutions to real life challenges including poverty, health problems, unemployment and illiteracy. Under this, the organization operates Digital Library Centers where program activities are carried out. The centers are headed by Project Coordinators assisted by head trainers supported by their assistants. They provide hands-on skills training in computer applications and usage to vulnerable children and out of-school youth to use the available technology to better their careers and livelihoods.
Computer Literacy
ICT for Work
Employment
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Aware of the multiplier effect of a woman’s achievement in a household and community at large and with a strong belief that socio-economic emancipation of women can empower and help uplift their social status, U-TOUCH has been working with most of the urban and rural poor women groups under the Women Empowerment Program (WEP). The Program aims at increasing employment and employability amongst young women through a guided hands-on training using the UNFPA Women Empowerment Curriculum. The WE project is designed to enable young women to become self-reliant and economically independent while using their own creativity to develop sustainable means to livelihoods. The WE project goes beyond improvement of life skills among vulnerable and underserved women to support them with micro grants to startup businesses.
EDUCATION
U-TOUCH values education as a tested approach for empowerment and poverty alleviation. The organization has for the past years supported children reach their full potential and achieve their career goals through a sponsorship program to attain life-changing education. Other programs being developed include ICT for Early Childhood Development aimed at improving capacity of education providers and promoting the use of technology to enhance standards in literacy and numeracy skills among school-going children.
SPORTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
U-TOUCH uses sports as a catalyst for promoting good health of body and mind and driving positive social behaviors in communities especially among the youth and children. The organization has a well-established Football Team which unites the youth in Northern Uganda and provides a platform to enable them share common interests for their mental, emotional and physical development.
ADVOCACY AND NETWORKING
U-TOUCH advocates for issues of public interest aimed at promoting equality, human rights and dignity hence supporting decision making and influencing policy through research, lobbying, seminars, workshops, dialogues, forming alliance and networking at local, regional and national levels.
