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Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

Account for ACFODE’s General Meeting (GM)

On the 26th of March, ACFODE had a General Meeting. Participants included ACFODE members and staff.

While giving her opening remarks, ACFODE’s Chairperson, Ms. Jane Nakintu thanked ACFODE members and staff for always portraying commitment to the organization’s activities. She also applauded them for the dedication, team effort and loyalty that were revealed during the ACFODE’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 2010. Ms. Nakintu acknowledged that it was due to these factors that the celebrations turned out to be successful.

She however argued both ACFODE staffs and members to fully embrace the new organizational theme “Embracing the Youth and Looking Ahead’’ that was unleashed last year.

She also thanked participants for the enormous support that was accorded to the out going Board that she has chaired for the last 3 years and announced that elections for a new Board were due in May 2011. Members interested in standing for the different posts were reminded to pick forms from ACFODE House.

She reminded all present that it was the responsibility of every ACFODE staff and member to identify strategy places which ACFODE would occupy for visibility issues.

A presentation about ACFODE’s Consultancy policy was made by Ms. Kawasiima Christine, a Board Member. She took participates into a series of how to offer good consultancy services in various arenas – political, economical and social: that ACFODE tackles.

An update from the Secretariat was given by ACFODE’s Executive Director Ms. Regina Bafaki. Major highlights from the Secretariat included ACFODE’s networking activities, observing of Uganda’s 2011 elections among other program implementations.

A new membership policy that was drafted by the Board in consultation with ACFODE members and staff was also unleashed during the GM. Soon, it will be made available on our website.

In her concluding remarks, Ms. Nakintu argued participants to give colossal support for the members who were going to contest for different posts in up coming ACFODE elections.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

ACFODE’s Regional Inter - University debate competitions are on!

From the 22nd to the 26th of March, ACFODE staffs were i Soroti training students from various institutions of higher learning from Eastern Uganda for the upcoming inter- university debate competitions.

Participating Institutions included: Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Kumi University, Uganda College of Commerce (UCC), East Africa Civil Aviation Academy (soroti Air Field/ Flying School) and Soroti Nursing School participated.

This is line with ACFODE‘s new theme ‘Embracing the Youth and Looking Ahead,’ which was introduced last year during Silver Jubilee Celebrations. These debates are one of such platforms through which ACFODE is trying to involve young people in the women’s movement.

The objectives of the training were:

• To enhance the participants’ speech, reading, researching skills, communication dialogue, and problem solving skills, confidence and self esteem.

• To create close working relation ships between ACFODE and the participating Institutions

• To actively involve the youth in fighting gender inequality and inequity

• Improve students’ eloquence, articulate and prompt philosophy, initiate, develop and establish debate in institutions of Higher learning of Uganda.

The students were also introduced to the British Parliamentary Debate format which is composed of two sides - Proposition side which is also known as the Government and the Opposition side also referred to as the Opposition. This kind of debate unlike other formats is composed of four teams. Each team is made up of two people implying eight people participate.

The debaters were urged to research widely on the main theme “involvement of the youth in promoting gender equality” so that when the spotlight for the competitions is on, they have all the gritty details required to win the competitions.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

Long Live ACFODE: By Joy Ongom

Hello!
My name is Joy Ongom. I recently won the sit for Woman Member of Parliament - Lira district as an Independent. Previously, I had lost on the UPC ticket. This fostered me to stand as an independent candidate. I won my opponent with a difference of 16,800 votes. 47,000 votes were however considered valid.

I credit my victory to ACFODE - a women’s empowerment organization in Uganda which I first encountered in 2006 when I was beginning my career life as a politician. I was at the time contemplating to contest for Counselor - Lira Sub-county, but then I had very low self esteem. To address this, I attended a training organized by ACFDOE in Lira town; whose goal was to increase women’s effective involvement in politics and decision-making through building the leadership capacity of potential female leaders at all levels.

I was trained along with other aspiring women leaders from Gulu and Kitgum districts about effective campaign strategies. Betty Otengo, who was contesting for the seat of MP- Lira district at the time, was among the participants. She eventually won the seat after this training.

After joining the council, I was trained on how to lobby for women issues – still by ACFODE. Now that I have won the seat of Woman MP, I plan on putting my acquired skills to use.

ACFODE’s exposure has been very encouraging for me. I remember it vividly, that just the other day, I was being challenged by trainers from ACFODE to stand for bigger and better position and here am I today – a Member of Parliament.

I applaud ACFODE for the good work and I pray that she continues with such activities, geared towards empowering grass-root women socially, politically and economically.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

In their own words

After the elections, ACFODE followed up some of the women the organization had trained prior to the elections. This was done through face to face interviews and through the use of telephony. The main objective of this exercise was to get the views of the interviewees about the whole electoral process (challenges faced, opportunities witnessed and recommendations to CSOs, NGOs and the government).

A number of points were raised. Below is an account;

Opportunities

Most of the women who were interviewed noted that they don’t face any form of violence. They actually applauded their families, friends and communities for giving them all the support they needed. This was not however the case in the past where women would be cast down while trying to participate in politics and other decision making processes right from family, community to national level.

The women also appreciated ACFODE’s training. Below are some of the skills they noted to have learnt which in the long run helped during the campaigns;
• Mingling with the voters, campaigning at every polling station in the area was one of the techniques acquired from the training.
• The knowledge of how to approach voters and how to present oneself to the voters was acquired from the training
• Visiting the voters in their home and work places and gardens created a one on one atmosphere that helped in canvassing votes
• Solidifying the agents supports and commitment helped a lot in canvassing votes
• Solidifying the support of loved ones such as the family members, relatives and friends was very helpful a technique that was acquired from the training
• How to relate to fellow contestants was one of the thing acquired from the training and it enabled attraction of favor from the voters

Challenges
• The demand for money and gifts from voters in exchange for votes made the campaigns very expensive
• Abusive language used by their opponents (fellow women) was hard to deal with for most of the contestants.
• People With Disabilities (PWD) contestants noted that they were disregarded and thought of as incapable in handling duties when they went to ask for votes from community members
• Others were discriminated basing on their religious background. Eunice Okullo from Lira said since she is a born again/ Christian, people thought that she was joking and did not believe her until the voting day when they found her name on the ballot paper.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

Losing is not the end (for women contestants who didn’t win elections)

Of course we can’t forget the strong women leaders who didn’t make it in this election cycle. We challenge you not to lose the optimism you had because there a lot more awaiting your endeavors in various capacities.

When asked how she felt like after losing the presidential seat, Mrs. Betty Mamisango Kamya - the only female contestant for the presidential elections while addressing a press conference said that she didn’t feel bad, but rather felt stronger because the whole electoral process was a learning platform for her. She noted that the experience gave an insight for laying a stronger foundation for her future political career.

Sarah Kapule, who lost the seat for District Woman Councilor in Pallisa was not in a samba mood either when ACFODE interviewed her after the elections. She is very hopeful for the next election cycle where she is going re- contest because she believes she has the support. She also reckons learning more about having effective campaigns during the election cycle. She plans to use these skills in future for a successful political career.

ACFODE therefore encourages all of you to have the same attitude.

We wish all the women leaders - aspiring and acting the best of luck in all their endeavors.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

Advocating and lobbying for critical issues of concern to the women of Uganda (This is for all women leaders)

As you celebrate success at your respective levels of leadership while putting into consideration that you will soon be sworn into power and start working, ACFODE calls for your overriding support in fronting women issues.

We encourage you to be mindful of the numerous challenges still faced by the Ugandan women.

Notably are; the high maternal mortality rate due to inadequate health facilities, difficulties in accessing education leading to high illiteracy rates where only 53% of females are literate compared 61 %males, injustice, unfavorable credit schemes and lack of other basic services. Women still trek long distances to fetch water and fuel wood and majority of them are still the beasts of burden. They literary keep the fire burning within the families and the communities. Though women are more than 50% of the Ugandan population, only 16%- 21% own land; though they till and contribute greatly to the economic advancement of their families and the nation, their value is not recognized nor appreciated.

Violence in all its forms is also still meted against women, both within the private and public sphere yet justice eludes them. The abject poverty experienced by the women also contributes to their vulnerability to violence and increases their risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections; and the physical trauma of violence and sexual assault experienced leaves scars and unimaginable emotional damage on many women; yet the culture of silence leaves the perpetrators un- apprehended.

This therefore calls for your colossal efforts in the struggle against injustice as we strive to achieve social justice, women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

Increase in women participation and representation

Uganda’s 2011 election cycle has seen 120 women join the 9th Parliament in Uganda.

This shows an increase of 41% since 2006, in the number of women MPs and other positions including the presidency, according to a survey conducted early this year by the Democracy Monitoring Group, a civil society organization.

According to the survey, 46 women contested for the 237 directly elected seats compared to only 28 who contested for 215 constituencies in the previous general elections. The creation of new districts increased women seats by 73%.

In preparation for the 2011 political transition and the second multi-party elections, ACFODE with support from Konrad Adenaeur Shitftung (KAS), Diakonia and DANIDA under the Women Democracy Group (WDG) conducted a number of activities. These included effective campaign management trainings, consultative meetings with different relevant stakeholders and community/regional dialogues with aspiring women leaders, representatives from different Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and from government bodies.

In this regard, the first quarter of the year (2010) activities implemented were geared towards mobilizing communities to support women in leadership/ participation for the upcoming 2011 elections. A total of 1665 women were trained in different parts of the country.

ACFODE is glad to acknowledge that these efforts were not in vain. A number of these women have succeeded in their campaigns. Notably among these are Joy Ongom, Maliza Opio, Betty Muzanira, Santa Angela, Dinna Bua, Abote Margret, Christine Jibu, Opino Veronica, Nsaba Zeridah and Lillian Oyama.

Joy Ongom, who won the sit for Women Member of Parliament - Lira District noted during an interview that, ‘I credit my victory to ACFODE - a women’s empowerment organization in Uganda which I first encountered in 2006 when I was beginning my career life as a politician. I was at the time contemplating to contest for Counselor - Lira Sub-county, had issues of low self esteem. To address this, I attended a training organized by ACFDOE in Lira town. I was trained along with other aspiring women leaders from Gulu and Kitgum districts about effective campaign strategies. ACFODE’s exposure has been very encouraging for me. I applaud ACFODE for the good work and I pray that she continues with such activities, geared towards empowering grass-root women socially, politically and economically.

Read full interview here.

Maliza Opio, the District Woman Councilor Pallisa district also credited ACFODE for her success. During an interview, she urged that it’s the skills she acquired from ACFODE’s women leadership training that helped her to design an effective campaign manifesto which led to her road to success.

Our heart felt congratulations go out to all women who won the elections. You must be very happy after having put in so much hard work and dedication. It was your sincere devotion and perseverance that helped you get through the whole electoral process with flying colors. ACFODE congratulates you and wishes you the very best. Your achievement is an example to all women in Uganda and world over. We appreciate your outstanding performance as you have proven your skeptics wrong by achieving the impossible.

And always remeber that ''Leadership is not about power, its about changing lives''

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

ACFODE hosts UNWOMEN Country Representative

On the 21st of February ACFODE hosted Ms. Jebeth Foster, UNWOMEN's Country Representative. This was in relation to an event, organised by African Democracy Institute (IDASA) whose goal was to urgue women CSOs to participate in developing a tool kit that will aid in safe guarding women's securities in the electoral and political processes in Africa.

This is rooted in the fact that the rights of citizens to influence governance processes through the choice of their representatives is a key element of any democratic society. Violence against women denies them that right, robs them of a voice in the decisions taken by leaders and in the long run may lead to further marginalization in accessing services and other resources.

Also, the issue of Violence against Women in politics is increasingly becoming a common occurrence before, during and after elections. It is hidden and not always reported on or addressed.

Participants from different women CSOs attended the event. Mr. Derrick Marco and Ms. Esther Nasikye from IDASA engaged them in highlighting what they considered as important in developing the monitoring tool kit.

While commenting on this, Ms Foster urged those present to contribute information that will aid in developing the standard tool kit; which will in future be used to track violence against women, before, during and after elections.

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development

ACFODE’s Regional Dialogue in Lira

ACFODE, on behalf of Women in Democracy Group (WDG) held a regional dialogue in Northern Uganda with participants from Lira, Apac, Dokolo and Oyam districts.

WDG is a coalition of four organizations with a common goal of gender transformation. They include Action for Development (ACFODE), Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), Center for Women in Governance (CEWIGO) and Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET) as the coordinating body.

The goal of the dialogue was to foster a conducive environment for women to freely participate in political space and decision making at Local Council and parliamentary level.

Seventy participants attended some of which for instance Regional Police Commanders from Mid North, District Security Officers, Residential District Commissioners, District Police Commanders, women in politicians, women from Civil Society Organizations and representatives from the Electoral Commission (District Returning Officers).

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner Lira, Mr. Opio Bob gave the opening remarks.

He thanked ACFODE and other WDG partners for organizing the dialogue in Lango sub region.
“On behalf of the Government of Uganda, I thank ACFODE for having brought the people of Uganda especially the various stakeholders in Lango sub region to empower them as far as their roles in creating a conducive environment for women's political participation are concerned.”

A presentation on the role of the Electoral Commission in creating a conducive environment for women’s participation in politics was made. It was noted that the Electoral Commission was fully aware about promoting an environment that favors women’s involvement in politics. He observed that in order to have free and fair elections, a number of policies had been put in place that included the following among others; The Constitution which gives mandate to all Ugandans to choose their own leaders and stand for elective positions, The Electoral Commission Act, The Presidential Elections Act, The Parliamentary Act and The Local Government Act.

A number of issues were raised by the participants noting that they needed urgent attention by the Electoral Commission because they were considered as hindrances to women’s participation in politics and decision making. These include; communication barriers with Persons with Disabilities, Women’s reproductive and sexual rights for instance pregnancy and low voter education in the region.

The role of the police in creating a favorable political environment for women was also another issue tackled during the dialogue.The presentation was made Otim Raymond, the Regional Police Commander Mid North. He commended the organizers for inviting the police to the dialogue. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity given to him to share with the participants how the police had joined hands with other noting that,
“The protection and enforcement of rights of women is not a monopoly of the police but rather various social actors including religious leaders, civil society organizations and women among others.”

Other presentations on the role of other community stake holder were the media that of Civil Society Organizations and the community were also discussed.

In his closing remarks, Mr Otim Raymond applauded all participants for the insightful contributions towards the dialogue. He also thanked ACFODE for organizing the dialogue and bringing the various stakeholders in Lango sub region together.

He urged every one to have a role in ensuring that women have a conducive environment for participation in politics. He noted that,
“There should be a clear understanding of the role of the different actors if a conducive environment for women to participate in politics is to be realized.”

He concluded by stressing that cultural leaders had a big role in this as well since they have a lot of influence in their spheres. He further stressed the fact that cultural leaders have a big role to play in as far as educating the public on women's rights was concerned; especially the importance of women in politics.

He reminded participants that they all had a paramount role in supporting women's participation in politics for a better future stressing that 'where there's an empowered woman, there is development.'

Submitted By Sandra Nassali

Public Relations & Communications Officer

Action For Development