Author Archives: IST-TFT

Over the past two decades, major world conferences and summits, such as those organised by the United Nations, have called attention to the issues affecting families, including family roles and responsibilities, gender equality and men’s greater participation in family life. The 1995 World Summit for Social Development, for instance, acknowledged the importance of providing help to families so as to enable them to perform their supporting, educating and nurturing roles. Such support involves enacting social policies and programmes designed to meet the needs of families and their individual members, including those promoting equal partnership between women and men in the family and ensuring opportunities for family members to understand and meet their social obligations. Failed to find current activity on that particular theme, that’s y I used the words in the last decade.

In furtherance of this, the Institute for Social Transformation organised a community dialogue for residents of Buyengo parish in Buyengo trading centre, Dabani sub-county, Busia district under the theme ‘Parental Responsibility: How Men’s Failure to Fulfil their Responsibility Has Increased Violence against Women’. The main objective of the event was building a critical mass of people at the community and district levels who support the prevention of violence against women, as well as the protection of their rights and a response to those rights.

The community dialogue was attended by the local leaders, women’s rights champions trained and commissioned by the Institute for Social Transformation (IST), district councillors, religious leaders, Community Development Officers (CDOs), village elders, youth and community members.

Children with absentee fathers have a risk factor of two to three times that of children with involved fathers for a wide range of negative outcomes, including dropping out of school, giving birth as a teenager and becoming a juvenile delinquent.

Specifically, the dialogue, which took place in March 2017, sought to encourage collective responsibilities within the family setting, with men setting up and owning up to their different roles and obligations.

It was organised under a series of presentations and discussions on selected topics given by highly qualified violence against (VAW) and education professionals. The aim of these discussions was to stimulate debate and documentation of the efforts and successes as well as the struggles involved in addressing VAW within the family setting.

During the discussions, the participants exhibited a proper understanding of Article 31 (1) of the 1995 Constitution, which stipulates that a man and a woman are entitled to marry only if they are each of the age of 18 years and above and are entitled at that age: (a) to found a family; and (b) to equal rights at, in marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. Some of the rights include: the right to respect; the right to privacy; freedom of speech and expression; taking part in decision-making; and the right to property. According to Sub-Article (4) it is the right of parents to care for and bring up their children.

Mr Ojiambo Francis, the CDO Buyengo sub-county, talking to participants during the dialogue. He noted that ‘violence against women breeds poverty, insecurity and backwardness in families and the community at large’ and, therefore, challenged those present to work together to end the vice, mostly in their families, as they form the core foundation for good communities and nations.

The responsibilities of both men and women were also at the heart of the discussions. It was noted that although men are aware of their obligations, the majority have stubbornly stepped aside and left everything to their female counterparts. As a result, the women are economically violated since they are left to solely provide the family’s basic needs, including school fees for the children, food, shelter, medical bills and clothing. The men, on the other hand, spend most of their time either drinking, gambling or philandering.

Although men are still traditionally seen as economic providers, disciplinarians and protectors within their families, current trends demand that they take on new responsibilities, including caregiving and providing emotional support to children, offering guidance so as to enable children to connect with their extended family and community members, and participating in a variety of household activities.

This kind of behaviour was mostly blamed on polygamy, which is rampant in Busia, lack of respect for men by their wives, poverty, and poor upbringing with no male role models where young boys don’t have fathers that they can look up to while growing up.

Key amongst the recommendations made to address this situation in families was for both female and male spouses to love and respect one another. As one of the elders advised: ‘Women must be respected because they are the pillars of the homes. Men should collaborate with their wives to engage in income-generating activities to provide for the family and build peaceful, loving homes.’

Ms Norah Nabwire, IST Programme/Legal Officer, coordinating the question-and-answer session during the dialogue.

Men were also cautioned against marrying many wives because of the very many challenges and risks involved, like having to provide for many family members yet resources are meagre and increased risks of getting sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDs. These acts also promote inequalities amongst co-wives and children and are a breeding ground for conflicts, and low self-esteem.

A responsible man should be in a position to call for family meetings at least once a month during which family members talk about issues that concern them. He should also provide for his family, be accountable to his wife and children, and participate in house chores. Wabwire Abubaka Idi – LC III Buyengo Trading Centre

In addition, it was proposed that a byelaw on excessive drinking be initiated at the sub-county. This byelaw would incriminate any person who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol to a degree that endangered him/herself or another person and property.

Furthermore, men were advised to take up income-generating activities such as commercial agriculture, as opposed to subsistence farming, to help boost their income levels.

Lastly, the importance of conducting family meetings was emphasised. During such meetings family members would come together to discuss their unique needs, challenges and solutions.

International Women’s Day is a worldwide event that celebrates women’s achievements – from the political to the social – while calling for gender equality. It has been observed since the early 1900s and is now recognised each year on 8 March. The day is not affiliated with any one group, but brings together governments, women’s organisations, corporations and charities. The day is marked around the world with arts performances, talks, rallies, networking events, conferences and marches.

IST, represented by the Executive Director, Ms Rita Atukwasa, officiated at the two major events: (i) to honour Dr Marta Vicente-Crespo, Dean of the School of Medicine, at St. Augustine International University, who on 8 March 2017 in London was awarded the Suffrage Science award in recognition of pioneering the use of fruit flies to conduct laboratory research; and (ii) the launch of the Women Empowerment Association at the university.

L-R: Academic Registrar, C/P University Council, Prof. V. Baryamureeba, IST Executive Director Ms Rita Atukwasa- Chief Guest , Prof. Gabriel Nzarubara – University Chancellor, Dr Marta Crespo Awardee, and Lucy Dan Teuling

Various activities were organised at St. Augustine International University to commemorate Women’s Day. The activities which took place included, among others, a quiz for medical students on the identification of gender equality at the university, indoor games, joint competitions and speeches, which were followed by the launch of the SAIU Women Empowerment Association (SWEA).

Dr Charity Basaza Mulenga, a member of the University Council, affirmed that the university encouraged girls to pursue science courses such as medicine, surgery and law. Since many women had enrolled, it demonstrated that women, like their male counterparts, had the capability to succeed in this area. Examples of successful women, such as the Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the Speaker of Parliament in the Republic of Uganda, Jennifer Musisi, the Executive Director of KCCA, and many others, were given.

The award winner, Dr Marta Vicente-Crespo appreciated the surprise gesture to honour her. She affirmed that it was indeed a great honour to receive the Suffrage Science award that recognises women in the engineering and physical sciences that relate to medicine. Also, it celebrates women’s achievement in the sciences and their ability to inspire and encourage other women to pursue courses and professions in the sciences. This public engagement scheme was initiated in 2011, by the UK’s Medical Research Council (MRC Clinical Sciences Centre), a biomedical research institute. She went ahead and encouraged peers, friends and colleagues to take bold action to help drive gender parity, that is to say mentoring young females to take up science subjects and courses.

To crown the event was a speech by the Executive Director IST, Ms Rita Atukwasa, who represented H.E. Dr Thelma Awori, Consular Liberian Embassy and Board member at IST. Ms Atukwasa addressed the issue of stereotyping women and girls as not being able to do sciences. She emphasised the need to understand the different kinds of support women and men, girls and boys require to be able to excel in school, and especially in the sciences. The ‘I fear’ factor was equally emphasised as a hindrance to women’s empowerment. She asserted that most women have kept their dreams in check owing to the ‘I fear’ factor and the limiting environment in which they grew up in where they are told to ‘go slow’. In her experience of working with women and girls, the common response to why they don’t challenge themselves is usually the fear that engulfs them, which is imparted from childhood. Therefore, deliberate mentorship for girls is necessary if their numbers are to tremendously increase in the science field.

She pledged that IST is ready to collaborate with the university to advance gender mainstreaming that will enhance relevant actions to make it the most gender-responsive learning institution in the countryThe challenge was whether the university utilises the opportunity. She thus called on the chair of the University Council, Prof. V. Baryamureeba, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Gabriel Nzarubara, to think about of the benefits a gender responsive learning environment will bring.

The colourful celebrations ended with the launch of the SAIU Women Empowerment Association (SWEA) to create an opportunity for competent and confident women to lead in innovative socio-economic transformation. SWEA was launched with the purpose of establishing a platform where women and girls can unleash their full potential. The major focus of SWEA is empowering women socially, politically and economically, mentoring women in leadership through leadership training and workshops, boosting women’s interest in the sciences right from primary level, building women’s life skills and promoting women’s health.

The IST Executive Director, Ms. Rita Atukwasa addressing participants at the University

Other networking events that IST participated in during the commemoration of Women’s Day included:

Interaction with Kyengera Rotary Club

The Executive Director, Ms Rita Atukwasa, was invited by the Kyengera Rotary Club to deliver an interactive talk on domestic violence. Held on the 3 March at Rose Gardens Kyengera, the talk was in commemoration of the International Women’s Day and focused on ‘Alternative Ways of Promoting Peaceful and Healthy Relationships and Homes’.

The IST Executive Director, Ms Rita Atukwasa, receiving a certificate of recognition after her presentation on domestic violence to members of the Kyengera Rotary Club

The Power and Control Wheel, frequently used by those who work with victims of domestic violence to demonstrate how power and control issues are at the core of abusive behaviours, was used to illustrate and describe the different dimensions of abuse and violence during the talk. Not only did the talk create an empowered class of citizens in support of safe, stable and nurturing relationships and homes, but it also increased their knowledge of domestic violence and its effects on individuals, homes and communities as a whole. Consequently, they made commitments in terms of action points to address domestic violence in their local communities.

Public Dialogue on Media Coverage of Women in the Ever-Changing World of Work

Organised by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in partnership with Mon Pi Mon and SheMattersUganda, the dialogue focused on ‘why media matters in advancing gender equality’. The participants discussed the importance of having objective and balanced media coverage of both men and women in the 21^st century. The discussion brought out critical issues regarding perceptions about and the treatment of women at various places of work such as the media, in households, in markets, and on the higher rungs of authority. Whereas women leaders are more result-oriented, more transparent and less corrupt, they are consistently paid less compared to men and negatively perceived, and questions are always asked about women in higher positions: How did she get there? Who helped her? What did she use?

Great concern was expressed about the treatment of domestic workers. The general view was that domestic workers were not treated with dignity and were disrespected despite the great value of their work. It was agreed that the effort to support advocacy for the legal framework that regulates the working conditions of domestic workers needed to be stepped up. It was clear that there were many unanswered questions regarding the media fraternity. There was still little space and an unfavourable environment for women in the media to explore their skills and potential. Female journalists revealed that writing ‘hard news’ was a male preserve. Sexual exploitation, long hours of work without flexibility, socio-cultural norms that frame perceptions about women were some of the barriers at workplaces that were identified during the dialogue.

It was emphasised that this calls for female-male partnership to ensure a favourable environment at workplaces and to stop the objectification of women.

Ms Rita Atukwasa, Executive Director IST, contributing to the discussions at the dialogue.

As a strategy, the Institute for Social Transformation (IST) participates in a number of networking receptions that are in pursuit of development endeavours. Such events provide avenues for the exchange of experiences and resources, link local efforts for more effective lobbying and advocacy, and improve the quality of our interventions and efficacy of our actions in the communities where we operate.

In light of this, we participated in the 3^rd National Women’s Week that was convened by the Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET) from the 17^th to the 21^st of October at Hotel Africana under the theme “Every Woman Counts.”

A cross section of participants making their contributions during the event

Given our vast experience in empowering women economically, we organised a Parallel Session that explored the findings of the market women situational analysis study that we conducted about the conditions under which market women work. During the event, the challenges and/or constraints that such women face, their role and capability to challenge speculations that women are weak and less capable of involving in business ventures, the opportunities available for them to tap into business, trade and market access, as well as major policy gaps that leave such women unprotected and prone to exploitation were discussed in detail.

Participants who included development partners, representatives from civil society, the media, district local governments, key line government ministries, as well as rural women and men were also able to hear real life experiences from the market women themselves, about their experiences in the business sector, particularly the marketplace.

A market woman from Kotido sharing her experience with participants

Some of the challenges the market women posed included – lack of capital and business skills, cultural barriers, family obligations, lack of interest and confidence, sabotage by spouses/male partners who do not want them to engage in such businesses suspicious that they would cheat, and lack of support from loved ones.

The participants were particularly moved by these experiences and as a result made some suggestions that would help redeem the dire situations under which these women work, with some even going ahead to make commitments about how they would contribute their efforts and resources toward their realisation.

They included:

• Providing market women with start up and business growth matching grants.
• Supporting them in developing savings scheme, which could grow into cooperatives to minimize exposure to moneylenders that charge and exploit them.
• Facilitating trainings in financial literacy, business development, supplies management, customer care and record management, and;
• Lobbying to improve market facilities with the establishment of baby/child and breastfeeding centres, separate toilets and bathrooms for men and women, more stalls and spacious pathways and for the setting of rules and regulations that take into account unique roles of women.

99 – the number of people engaged during the Parallel Session, with women accounting for 85%.

As an organization, we established new strategic relationships and partnerships, which we hope to use as an invaluable source of information and support in future interventions during this event. The market women on the other hand gained confidence to speak for themselves against the exploitative leadership in market places and formed caucuses (some of which are recognised by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau – URSB), for purposes of dialogue and self-empowerment. Other achievements registered by these assemblies after the IST mentorship include: enhanced ability of the market women to participate in the leadership and governance of the marketplace; and senstisation and generation of support for women’s rights mostly from the marketplace leadership.

“I have liked the sensitization on women in the market, it really gave me an insight on how to work with my team as we are championing women rights in our local communities. I have also learnt about the power and importance of collective effort, and the need to tackle issues of economic empowerment, especially when working with women. This session has also given me the opportunity to witness first-hand the potential that our women have. If it were possible, IST would extend such platforms to other districts so that a bigger impact is felt.” Gerald Tumwebaze, Civil Society Representative from Kamwenge Development centre