ACFODE hosts Dr. Wymer and challenges women

On Friday 16 July, ACFODE hosted over 60 women and men from civilsociety, Parliament, public and private sectors in a meeting on Womenand the Electoral Processes.Dr. Stephen Wymer, an advisor to the US Government, public speaker andcounselor, in his presentation, challenged the participants toquestion themselves and ask; Are women in Parliament representing theneeds of women? He went on to say that in the US, Hillary Clinton roseto the top because she represented general issues which inadvertentlydo affect women. The women’s ticket is wearing people out. It isalmost always that the issues affecting the general populace do alsoaffect women.He further went on to ask the participants the average age of majorityvoters. They responded by saying from 40 and above. Dr. Wymer askedwhy youth and the urban population are less interested in voting. Hesaid that President Obama brought a new wave of voters in the US.While older people were more interested din voting, in 2008, Obamainterested a majority youth to vote.Dr. Wymer said that Ugandans should change strategies in order toinclude the youth in the electoral process. What are the differentways to advance women’s issues instead of the same mundane methods?ACFODE has taken on this challenge and as part of the 25 years’celebrations, will hold an inter-university debate including membersof MEMPROW with the theme, Is the Women’s Movement Still relevant inUganda? The purpose of this theme is to include the integral youthcommunity into the issue of advocating for gender concerns while beinginclusive of men’s needs as well. Below are responses to this message which was sent on email.

Which is why we still have a number of questions unanswered - not to mentionthat they are the same questions we ask ourselves year in and out.Why leaders change goal posts after assuming positions of power and onlyremember the electorate a couple of months to the next election!!!Allegiance to parties versus interests of the electorate - which by the wayare usually as modest as asking for a health center and a good road to it.Thanks for sharing Bev.SylviaEASSI

thanx nambozo am glad that I was one of those who participated in such a historic lecture from Dr. Waymer. From that lecture I have come to realize that my strategies of becoming a political leader were strengthened and I remember him questioning us whether we stand in positions to enrich ourselves or to work for those we lead. When I thought about that question later on I realized most of the political leaders we have in this country are just in those positions to enrich themselves than serving the electorate, very few are doing the right thing and two I apathize with our women in this multiparty dispensation where our women leaders have to pay allegiance to their parties than serving women interests.I remain yoursRichard makumbiPrograms officerAdvocacy programKCCC

the involvement of the young people in the discussions we have been engaging in on good governance is very important. we need to seriously work with the young women and men and inculcate in them the importance of social justice and gender equality while also encouraging them to critique the status quo and be a part of solution to the so many leadership challenges we see out there. not to mention that they are energetic and creative and willing many times to go the extra mile. that is why FOWODE, six years ago, decided to begin mentoring young women and men for alternative and transformative leadership and the results so far are very encouraging. the "small" initiatives that each of us are a part of will eventually translate into social transformation of our country.the struggle continuesPatricia, FOWODE

Thanks Beverlyand well done ACFODE,these are the kind sof conversations that should help us reflect and keepon track as well as compel us to do certain things at a given time .we must be as dynamic as possible to ensure that our issues are NEVERforgotten but addressed.thanks, Tina Musuya, RAISING VOICES

ACFODE TRAINS WOMEN IN LIRA

ACFODE trained 27 women in LiraDistrict in June. Amongst them, 5 were vying for Member of Parliament, 12 for District level counsillorship, 4 for LC level and 6 for sub-county level. The women represented different parties. The training was well-received and timely because the party preliminaries are very soon. The first time candidates expressed worry over the amount of resources needed to cover a campaign and also the lack of aparent support from family. Amongst the 27 candidates, only 2 were competing for the direct seat and the rest were under the affirmative seat. ACFODE encouraged the candidates to widen their networks for resource mobilisation after hearing that some candidates had opted to sell their pieces of land. ACFODE continues to serve as a center for resource as some candidates have begun visiting the office for material to guide them in the campaigns.

ACFODE OPENS NEW CHAPTER IN APAC

The Executive Director, Regina Bafaki, together with staff member Daphine Agaba, visited Apac to open a new chapter in the District. The leaders of the district welcomed ACFODE with open arms. They were able to visit several organisations that showed willingness to work alongside them and demonstrate ways of promoting gender equality anf ACFODE concerns. They also conducted a consultative meeting on the citizens' manifesto including representatives of the media, civil society and individuals. Many of the issues faced by women were similar like poverty, access to justice, quality education, maternal health, peace and scurity and corruption and access to markets and credit facilities, safe water, sanitation, environment protection and gender based violence. After signing the MOU, Regina expressed gratitude towards the new partnership.