ACFODE Symposium dawned on a day like no other. Falling on a public holiday, 16th November, did not deter the ACFODE power house from convening together under one roof to pour out their heartfelt stories, share their amazing testimonies and stir up a new era of women in Uganda and beyond. Founder member Dr. Hilda Tadria, the foremothers Prof. Maxine Ankrah, Hon. Dr. Miria Matembe, Ambassaor Bernadette Olowo-Freers, Maude Mugisha, Prof. Ruth Mukama, steered the symposium with the stunning herstory of ACFODE-25 years ago.
Prof. Maxine Ankrah said,
"Is it time for a new ACFODE? Have we got a new vision? Are we angry enough to change the fore of this nation? I declare ACFODE changed this nation fundamentally. 25 years from now, what will our daughters see?"
Truth be told, ACFODE created a presence that no other organisation has ever done for women. It set a pace with such an incredible force that created platforms for many of the movers and shakers that fill up the political spaces today. Civil societies, NGOs like HURINET, Uganda Debt Network, UWONET, NGO FORUM and Gender Department at Makerere University all look to ACFODE in gratitude for their inception.
Close to a hundred participants at the workshop, from Kampala, Rukungiri, Karamoja, Kabale, Apac, Sironko, Busia and Bukedea took part in this monumental symposium, which marked the secon official day of ACFODE's Silver Jubilee celebrations.
The panel for the youth , under the theme, Embracing the youth in Gender Equality passionately rose to the challenge to continue the journey that the foremothers began. Richard Makumbi, currently with CEDOVIP, said, “When boys/men are excluded from community-based efforts to empower women, women’s lives may improve in the short term, but there will be very little “effect on the overall institutional, societal and structural transformations needed to achieve true gender equality.”
Hon. Dr. Matembe, who formed part of the panel on Transformative politics said that, "Abandonment of a National vision spoilt everything, it all got spoilt when the National vision was personalised."
We are grateful to all panelists, discussantts and participants and to Diakonia, the main sponsors of the event. A great thank you to the ACFODE staff and members for putting it all together.
EASSI congratulates you ACFODE. We are proud of you and feel very much a part of this achievement for the women of Uganda and Africa. Our congratulatory message comes with the hope that that this 25 year old candle does not not wax cold, but that it continues to emit light in all the places that still hold back the achievement of human (women and children's) rights. We also hope that 25 years from now, you will look back with satisfaction that your plans will have come to fruition. SHINE ON AND CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN.
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