Irene's Story - Women's Land Rights

In Uganda, Amplio and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) piloted the Amplio Talking Book as a gender-responsive technology to improve women's land rights and gender equality in the West Nile sub-region. Talking Books were distributed to 42 farmers groups. The members, mostly women, listened together during their regular meetings. They also borrowed the devices to listen to at home with their families. Irene is one of the women who benefitted. "My husband married me when I was young and didn’t know much about farming. He was always violent whenever I asked for help,” she shared. “I was left to tend to our land alone, and the yields weren't enough to feed our children or send them to school." One day a neighbor invited her to attend a farmers group, where she benefitted from the community of support, a loan, and learning opportunities—including women's land rights information shared via the Talking Book. In this video, she describes the transformation in her life and household. "When it was my turn to bring home a Talking Book, I listened to all of the messages attentively. That night I couldn't sleep. In the morning, I introduced my husband to the Talking Book and he said, 'The next time you go to the meeting, don't leave me behind." Irene and her husband are now working together to grow food, and with more income they are paying for education and healthcare. "My husband and I now plan together. He listens to my ideas, even in the presence of his other wives. If things continue like this, we will achieve a lot in the future." Learn more about Amplio Talking Book programs, partnerships, and impact — and donate today at www.amplio.org. #ampliotalkingbook #genderequality #landrights #digitalinclusion #Uganda