As the world observes International Women’s Day under the theme ‘‘For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment,’’ we, the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on women’s rights, human rights, and economic justice
within the East African Community (EAC), express deep concern regarding the growing prevalence of gender-based violations in commercial investment initiatives across the region, particularly in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The EAC Report on ‘‘Gender, Community Development, and Civil Society’’[1] highlights the persistent marginalization of women in investment schemes, despite women comprising over 60% of the EAC population. This marginalization is largely attributed to significant gaps in current investment policies, laws, and agreements, which continue to undermine the gender equity agenda and hinder the empowerment of women and girls in the region.