We stand in solidarity with Racheal Njoroge in protesting the outrageously flimsy penalty against her abuser, Edward Kisuze
On September 29th, 2020, Edward Kisuze, a senior Administrative Assistant at Makerere University was convicted of the offence of indecent assault against Racheal Njoroge, a former student at the university. Outrageously, while the offence committed by Kisuze attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years, he was sentenced to only two years imprisonment or a fine […]
The state of social protection in Uganda in response to Covid-19
Uganda’s National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) provides that regardless of status, every citizen can be faced with various risks and vulnerabilities which could render them unable to meet their basic needs. One of the guiding principles of the NSPP is universalism and inclusiveness; promoting appropriate measures to protect every Ugandan from risks and shocks. This […]
The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women Labour Related Rights
Uganda has a progressive employment legal regime, a reflection of the international standards of the International Labour Organization. However, enforcement of these laws has always posed a challenge because the dictates of demand and supply outweigh the aspirations of the laws and policies. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses and employment exposed the […]
Gendered Dimensions of the Economic Impact of Covid-19 in Uganda
Covid-19 is by far the biggest pandemic the world has faced in decades. In March 2020, Uganda joined the rest of the world to announce a nationwide lockdown, amongst other measures to contain the pandemic. This came shortly after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Coronavirus a pandemic. This decision as in many other […]
Agnes Nasirumbi – Aspiring Woman Member of Parliament for Persons with Disabilities
Tell us about yourself and what you do. I am a Ugandan professional accountant who practiced for 16 years before founding the Nasirumbi Foundation, a non-profit organization seeking to transform the lives of people with disabilities in Uganda. I do this work through promoting initiatives that improve the quality of life […]
The AWLI gave me a space to learn and understand Feminism.
In the past, every time I heard about feminism, I would imagine a rude woman who went about ridiculing men and setting things on fire. However, I have come to learn that being a feminist means being the kind of person who cares that women are treated right and given equal opportunities with men in […]
Reflecting on 25 Years of the Beijing Platform for Action
25th September 1995 was historic in the women’s movement in Africa and the world at large. Representatives of 189 governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, feminists, activists and organizations from all over the world convened at the Fourth World Conference on Women to recognize women’s rights as human rights; an event that laid the foundation for […]
“We need more feminist minded women in politics,” Rebecca Achom Adile
A lot of changes happened in Uganda’s political scene due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Electoral Commission announced that elections and campaigns would be held virtually; a very challenging situation for new entrants in the political scene. We also witnessed cases of violence across the country especially during the National Resistance Movement primaries; as well […]
The African Women’s Leadership Institute has shaped me into a resilient woman
Before the African Women’s Leadership Institute, I thought I had figured out who I was, where I was going, and what I wanted to be; I was wrong. I have since discovered a lot about myself. I recognized my values, strengths, goals and aspirations, as well as worked out my ambitions and what I look […]
Akina Mama wa Afrika joins a Bold and Progressive Movement on SRHR through the JAS Programme
On 13th July 2020, Akina Mama wa Afrika officially joined the Joint Advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (SRHR) in Uganda (JAS) programme. JAS is a multi-organization Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) advocacy programme steered by the Centre for Health Human Rights and Development-CEHURD and supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency – SIDA. […]
The African Women’s Leadership Institute has awakened the power within me.
Earlier this year, I went through some tough moments that partly led me to a place of deep self-doubt. I became very vulnerable and dependent on a friend for my sustenance. So on a very hot afternoon, as I sipped on a glass of pot water that tasted like heaven, my mind was buzzing with […]
Tackling the “Shadow Pandemic” of Domestic Violence During COVID-19
“In the shadow of this tragic global pandemic lurks another pandemic- Violence against Women and Girls. Less reported and hardly headlines news but claiming lives nonetheless.” On January, 3 2020, BBC WORLD Media reported a “mysterious viral pneumonia” in China. It was an outbreak with 44 cases of people affected, 11 of which were “severe”. […]
COVID-19 Chronicles: Life in the clutches of a global pandemic
We are featuring human centered stories, poems and critical analyses on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected alumnae of our African Women’s Leadership Institute. We encourage you to explore a diversity of topics including but not limited to; the economy, sexual and reproductive health and rights, mental health, violence in the private and public sphere, […]
Struggling With Anxiety and Finding Purpose During COVID-19
“…asking for help is strength, courage, and stoic determination to rise above our fears and weaknesses and bounce back better and tougher.” The Nightmare It is a few months into the raging global pandemic and we all seem to be more accepting of this new situation we find ourselves in and the impact it has […]
Survivors of Sexual Violence are Human Beings Before They Are Headlines
When it comes to reporting about sexual violence, the media in Uganda is misleading at best and a catalyst for further violence at worst. Global women’s movements have accused the media of using language that trivializes the experiences of the survivors and publishing unverified/untrue information about survivors. In addition, reporters have been known to ask […]
How To Cover Stories of Sexual Violence With Humanity
Akina Mama wa Afrika in partnership with Hivos hosted the #MediaandMeToo webinar from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM EAT on 28 March, 2020. The dialogue was held to assess the prevalence of Sexual Harassment in the media sector and to interrogate media’s documentation and reporting of cases of sexual harassment. The dialogue was also an opportunity to compel […]
The AWLI Equipped Me With Leadership Skills – Susan Aciro
In high school, Susan always wished for girls to participate in leadership processes and influence decision making but the boys would not give them a chance, and male teachers did not make it any easier. She wanted to make sure that the girls had equal space and influence so she joined the high school top […]
Where do the billions that could fund our health systems go?
The 2015 report of the High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) from Africa (Mbeki report) estimates the continent to be losing about 50 billion dollars annually in illicit financial flows. IFFs can be defined as the movement, from one country to another, of money or capital that is illegally earned, used or transferred. […]
The Institutionalization Of Sexual Violence In Uganda
The Uganda Police released the 2019 annual crime report in March this year. The rate of crime, at least that which is reported, has decreased by 9.8% with the cases declining from 238,746 cases reported in 2018 to 215,224 cases reported in 2019. The figures for crimes of a sexual nature which include but are not […]
Counting the Cost of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Workers in Uganda
International Workers’ Day usually has a whiff of celebration around it as workers around the globe are applauded for their different exploits and achievements in the world of work. However, this year, the annual workers’ day came amidstCOVID-19 epidemic. May 1st found some workers receiving their last paycheck while others logged into their emails to […]