About Us

AWONET is on the ground before, during, and after emergencies, working to reach women and their families with lifesaving aid and long-term assistance. As part of its mission, AWONET responds to humanitarian crises that include natural disasters, human-caused crises, health-related emergencies and pandemics, and the negative effects of climate change.

Our Vision:
A society with aid workers working to promote and protect the rights of women during crises.

Our Mission:
To respond to humanitarian crises that include natural disasters, human-caused crises, health-related emergencies and pandemics, and the negative effects of climate change through coordination of aid efforts.

Working in humanitarian emergencies

Our members and staff work in some of the most challenging environments, to reach the most disadvantaged women and their families. On average, AWONET responds to more than 200 emergencies that affect an estimated 5 million Women every year, informing and shaping these interventions as a national Association of aid workers. Natural disasters and the impact of climate change are forcing more Women from their homes and exposing them to violence, exploitation, malnutrition and disease. Moreover, armed conflict, civil unrest and the targeting of humanitarian workers have made recent years the deadliest on record for the aid community. The need for aid workers and staff at emergency locations is more important than ever

Working in emergency duty stations

AWONET members and staff are at the heart of our ability to respond to complex emergencies. They work with partners, in some of the most challenging contexts, to reach the women and their families at greatest risk, taking bold and innovative actions to deliver results. Working in emergency and high-risk settings can be extremely fulfilling, and every emergency duty station presents its own unique opportunities and challenges.

Volunteer with us

Candidates applying for volunteer positions in emergency locations should be mindful of the working and living conditions to expect. Although these vary greatly, there are a number of challenges you may experience, including the witnessing of human suffering and women in distress, extremely heavy workloads, limited accommodation options and strict curfews with significant restrictions on freedom of movement. In addition, access to power, running water, and the internet may be intermittent. Moreover, since most emergency locations are non-family duty stations, Volunteers are not permitted to bring their families with them.

For volunteers deployed to emergency areas, AWONET has a legal and moral obligation under what is known as ‘duty of care’. This involves a collection of measures targeted at our personnel to enable AWONET to stay and deliver in high-risk duty stations. Duty of care principles and initiatives cover psychosocial, wellbeing, medical, human resources, administrative, and safety and security support for staff in emergency locations, including medical evacuation for Volunteers and their eligible family members when needed.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in an emergency region, there are a range of opportunities available. All of AWONET’s functional areas at all levels are involved, to some degree in emergency preparedness and response, including Women protection, communication, gender, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, logistics, human resources, security, social policy, water, sanitation and hygiene, and other areas.

What we offer

AWONET recognizes that Staff and members working in emergencies and high-risk settings face challenges that need to be reflected in the benefits and entitlements we provide. In addition to the standard benefits and entitlements offered to all staff, volunteers and members, additional benefits and entitlements are provided to staff, volunteers and members in emergencies, depending on the duty station category.

We protect Women's rights and safeguard their futures.

AWONET, works to protect the rights of every Woman, especially the most disadvantaged and those hardest to reach. Across Uganda and territories, we do whatever it takes to help women survive, thrive and fulfil their potential.

We provide and advocate for their rights to health and nutrition services. Protect women from violence and abuse. Bring clean water and sanitation to those in need. And keep them safe from climate change and disease.

Before, during and after emergencies, we’re on the ground with life-saving help and hope. No matter who they are, or where they live. We keep going, with staff, volunteers, members and partners that span the whole country. Impartial, non-political and neutral, we focus on reaching every woman in need. AWONET was established in the aftermath of COVID-19 to help Women whose lives and futures were at risk – no matter what role their leaders had played in the pandemic.

We hold ourselves accountable.

All AWONET Staff, volunteers and members have a duty to safeguard the communities reached by our work. This means ensuring no one is placed in harm’s way as a result of a programme we support, or an individual with whom we're affiliated. AWONET conducts independent investigations so that anyone who violates our ethics, rules or regulations is held to account. We're also accountable to the donors who keep us going. Our work is funded entirely through voluntary contributions, and we share openly where our resources come from, and where they go.