Addis Ababa — The Expert Group Meeting (EGM) organized by the Land Policy Initiative (LPI) on 4 and 5 February 2015 in Entebbe, Uganda, was successful in reviewing and validating the Gender Strategy of the organization. The meeting provided further recommendations for the finalization of the document, and identified key follow-up actions and activities as well as the actors to play specific roles in their implementation.

"We are grateful to all participants for their valuable suggestions on improving the Gender Strategy," said Ms Joan Kagwanja, Chief of the LPI, during the closing session. She pointed to fact that the meeting developed a clear action plan, and "therefore holds LPI accountable for the implementation."

The meeting was officially closed by Ms Naome Kabanda, representative of the Uganda Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. In her closing remarks, Ms Kabanda noted that some countries, such as Rwanda and Ethiopia, can be crucial partners and good case studies on land and gender issues. She added that the LPI Gender Strategy "will be quite instrumental as a learning tool for other institutions, and for empowering women."

The meeting was attended by 20 experts drawn from land and gender Ministries of Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), research institutions, civil society organizations, international organizations, and United Nations agencies.