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Sharon

Women at the Centre of Sustaining Peace in Uganda

Women’s International Peace Centre and the Uganda Women’s Network (UWONET) with support from The Embassy of Ireland are partnering in an 8-month project “Women at the Centre of Sustaining Peace in Uganda” to promote the implementation of Uganda’s National Action Plan III (2021 – 2025) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) at the national level and in Karamoja, particularly Kotido and Moroto districts from January to August 2022.

Read More “Women at the Centre of Sustaining Peace in Uganda”

Latest News
Sharon

Young Urban Refugee Women Leaders Trained on Women Peace and Security

The Peace Centre in partnership with the Global Fund for Women is implementing a project Promoting Young Urban Refugee Women’s Leadership in Peacebuilding in Uganda aimed at promoting young urban refugee women and GBV survivors; leadership in peacebuilding processes and mechanisms in Uganda. As part of the project, the Peace Centre conducted a 3 days training of 30 young urban refugee women representatives from refugee-led organizations in Makindye division on advocacy and influencing, on UNSCR 1325, the contents, processes, and mechanisms associated with Uganda’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 from 12th to 14th January 2022.

Read More “Young Urban Refugee Women Leaders Trained on Women Peace and Security”

Annual Reports
Sharon

2020 Annual Report

2020 was a pivotal year for gender equality. We marked 25 years of the ambitious Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and 20 years of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

However, the year also brought a health crisis, COVID-19 that exacerbated the existing gender inequalities. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the implementation of project activities and as a result, the methodology of some projects changed to use alternative means to meet the same goal. We adapted to organize more online meetings, cut down on meeting size, to include protective gear such as masks and sanitiser as essential materials for all activities and our staff continued working from home and accessing the office in shifts as needed.

Throughout 2020, it was inspiring, energizing and refreshing to see, women collectively and fiercely pushing boundaries for Feminist Peace. Looking back, we share with you some of our most significant moments resulting in impact and lessons learnt in our peacebuilding work in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal, South Sudan and Uganda.

The Peace Centre’s 2020 Annual Report

Latest News
Sharon

Launch of the Research on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women Peace and Security in South Sudan

We officially launched our research on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women Peace and Security in South Sudan with support from the Forum for Women and Development (FOKUS) and in partnership with the Centre for Inclusive Governance Peace and Justice on 17th November 2021 in Juba, South Sudan.

The pandemic has intensified the already fragile humanitarian and human rights situation, including by further restricting fundamental rights and freedoms. COVID-19 thus poses a serious threat not only to public health, but also to governance, democracy, and peace and security. Systems characterized by weak constitutional orders, lack of accountability, entrenched impunity, and historical and structural inequalities have struggled to respond effectively to the pandemic in compliance with human rights and the rule of law.

Findings from the research sparked a conversation on the impact of COVID19 on Women Peace and Security in South Sudan.

  • Despite women’s involvement in the international frameworks on UNSCR 1325 and the active role that they have played at various levels to bring peace to South Sudan, their role has been underestimated or ignored during political negotiations including in the ongoing COVID-19 situation. For example, the 15-member National Taskforce for COVID-19 reveals women’s under-representation and yet, this is the body that makes policies on COVID-19 in South Sudan that have a direct bearing on the lives of women as caregivers and peacemakers.
  • Though women were appointed to the revitalized transitional government, their decision-making powers are limited. It was also noted that there were very few women in the task force when it was first established.
  • Reduction of funding of women organizations which has crippled women’s ability to respond effectively.
  • COVID-19 Emergency Legislation and Enforcement– In March 2020, The Government introduced restrictions including a partial lockdown. This affected the supply of food and other basic commodities from neighbouring Local markets women suffered the most.
  • Access to health services– The lockdown also did not consider health issues that require emergency movement. Some women needed critical medical attention but could not access health services. Furthermore, the process to obtain clearance was long and often required incentives. Several women could not afford the cost of expediting the clearance process to enable travel.
  • Violation of curfew– authorities used force to enforce curfews, which in some extreme cases resulted in the death of civilians.

“These research findings should be able to influence the work of the National Taskforce on COVID19 in South Sudan. Issues on healthcare, humanitarian response, unpaid care work, social protection, violence against women and girls, livelihood systems and others are highlighted in the report.”- Helen Kezie-Nwoha, Executive Director, The Peace Centre 

  • Restriction of movements limited access to livelihoods. Livelihood systems are heavily reliant on mobility and trade. This negatively affected the work of female entrepreneurs and informal sector workers. Additionally, several women who worked in formal employment were laid off to cut back institutional costs.
  • Humanitarian Assistance– Flooding in Upper Nile increased the number of displaced persons, who could not access humanitarian assistance.
  • Sexual violence against girls– Some girls dropped out of school and got pregnant. Some were forced into early marriage. Boys were also made to start families.
  • Vaccinations– negative stereotypes on vaccination especially on the sexual reproductive health of women. It is believed that vaccination will make women barren and alter the genetic composition of children.
  • Social protection has been minimized. Women cannot access the courts to report issues of sexual violence and there has been little to no access to justice on land issues ultimately affecting their economic viability.

H.E Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Vice President in charge of the Service Cluster and Chair of the National Taskforce signs and officially launch the research report. 

Recommendations from the research emphasized the need to;

  • Conduct campaigns to raise awareness on COVID-19 in the rural areas
  • More efforts need to be dedicated towards the inclusion of PWDs when it comes to COVID-19 response and the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Experts who have scientific knowledge should be engaged to provide accurate information on the COVID-19 vaccine and its potential side effects.
  • Conduct further research on women’s perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Vaccinated people need to provide testimonies to encourage others to be vaccinated.
  • Government and/or organization should make more information about the vaccine accessible to the public in general and women in particular

“As the Secretary to the National COVID19 taskforce, I’m committed to making sure we learn from this research to improve our programming for SouthSudan and include gender-responsive COVID 19 measures.”- Dr Victoria Arib Majur, Under Secretary, Minister of Health.

Latest News
Sharon

Outcome of the First Feminist Peace Convening in Central Equatorial State, Juba, South Sudan

We, participants of the 1st Annual Peace Convening held in Juba, Central Equatorial State meeting in Juba-South Sudan on 16th November 16, 2021, under the ‘Promoting Women’s Needs and their Participation in the South Sudan Constitution-Making Process’ acknowledge our collective vision for sustainable peace in South Sudan and our commitment to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in Central Equatorial State in particular and South Sudan in general. Read More “Outcome of the First Feminist Peace Convening in Central Equatorial State, Juba, South Sudan”

Featured story
Sharon

Meet Our Alumni: Alice Emasu Seruyange

Alice Emasu Seruyange is an outstanding journalist, media guru who is passionate about gender equality and social justice in Uganda. She is the founder of The Association for the Rehabilitation and Re-orientation of Women for Development (TERREWODE) a non-government organization with the vision of Empowered women and girls embracing the world with improved livelihoods and an Alumni of the Peace Centre’s feminist institute.

After her participation in the Feminist Institute, Alice continued with heightened commitment to support women affected by fistulae to promote social justice.  Obstetric fistula (incl. vesicovaginal and recto-vaginal fistula) is present in conflict settings but remains neglected due to its complicated and stigmatic nature. Moreover, fistulae are characteristic of war-torn areas like the Teso sub-region in Uganda, the region that TERREWODE serves.

Given the high need for fistulae repairs in the post-conflict Teso sub-region, TERREWODE under the leadership of Alice has grown in capacity with highly professional staffing, an Executive Board of Directors, with a team of committed medical professionals.  Today, TERREWODE has a model institutional infrastructure to continually support the health, psychological and economic needs of women affected by fistulae. Alice shared that attending the Institute training broadened her initial dream of contributing to the transformation of the health systems to deliver for vulnerable women and girls including those suffering from the neglected Obstetric Fistula.

TERREWODE has supported over 800 women and girls fistulae survivors.  Alice opened in 2019 the first hospital in Uganda and the third in Africa dedicated to women suffering from obstetric fistula. The hospital conducts 200 surgeries per year and treat and reintegrate 600 women per year;15,000 women and girls affected by fistula treated and reintegrated. The hospital is the first specialized in Uganda and  an expansion of TERREWODE, the NGO I founded way back in 1999.

Alice also participated in the development of a National Strategy for Reintegrating young obstetric fistula survivors by the Ministry of Health in Uganda.  With her outstanding work on hand, Alice has been recognized and celebrated with:

  • The prestigious award for her outstanding Reporting on Population and Development issues, and Economic and SRHR of rural women and girls (Dec. 2007).
  • Golden Jubilee Award- Women and Girl Child Empowerment, Government of Uganda (2020)

Alice observes that the experience she gained through the Institute enabled me to be more aware of the impact of SGBV that women and girls experienced suffer  in the sub Saharan Africa.

Magazines
Sharon

Women and Elections in East Africa

Through this 52nd edition of Women’s World, women from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda share their thoughts and findings on the situation of women’s current and prospective participation in political and peace processes associated with elections. This Women’s World also challenges patriarchal norms and the practice of relegating women’s position and contributions to the private sphere, excluding them from deliberative dialogues in political and decision-making spaces across electoral processes.

We invite you to appreciate the perspectives and experiences of women as voters, candidates, political leaders, advocates for peaceful elections and key players in all electoral processes.

Womens’ World 52_FR 

Womens’ World 52_EN

Magazines
Patience Nakiranda

Les femmes et les élections en Afrique de l’Est – Monde Des Femmes 52

À travers cette 52ème édition de Women’s World, des femmes du Burundi, de la République Démocratique du Congo et de l’Ouganda partagent leurs réflexions et expriment leurs points non seulement sur la situation de la participation dans le contexte du moment, mais également sur l’implication et la participation des femmes aux processus politiques et de paix associée aux élections. La réflexion de ces femmes expérimentées met en exergue sur les normes patriarcales et la pratique consistant à reléguer la position et les contributions des femmes à la sphère privée, en les excluant des dialogues délibératifs dans les espaces politiques et décisionnels à travers les processus électoraux.

Telecharger: Monde Des Femmes 52

Latest News
Sharon

Defend her! Women Human Rights Defenders’ Recommendations for Diplomatic Missions

Women human rights defenders (WHRDs), peacebuilders, advocates for gender equality and other civil society leaders play a critical role in advancing peace, human rights and gender justice. Yet they are under attack for doing so. The Peace Center joined WHRDs in presenting their key recommendations for diplomatic missions to better protect their critical work in a gender responsive and transformative manner and the specific protection needs that WHRDs have. This was to inform Mission leads, staff and policy makers will gain insight in the gap between policy, protocols and practice. From WHRDs first hand, they will receive concrete ideas on how to bridge that gap and how to continue meaningful engagement with WHRDs.Over 180 (W)HRDs, mission staff, representatives of (I)NGOs, Member States and multilateral organizations registered for the event.

The discussion kicked off with a context setting that involved a look at the current situation for WHRDs and why they need specific protection measures This was followed by a Panel conversation by panelists;
Richard Arbeiter, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York
Caecilia Wijgers, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Afghanistan
Caroline Rucah, Executive Director Lets Be Tested Queens (Western Kenya LGBTQI+ Feminist Forum)
And Sandra Tumwesigye, Communication & Advocacy coordinator Women International Peace Center

The Panel took on discussing key recommendations for gender responsive and transformative protection that addressed; How diplomatic missions support individual WHRDs’ physical, mental, and economic safety. How diplomatic missions strengthen women’s rights organizations’ operational space and their resilience and How diplomatic missions enhance the understanding of, familiarization with, and support for a diversity of women’s voices within the mission?
From this discussion; problems faced by WHRDs were discussed as Lack of physical, mental, and economic safety of individual WHRDs, Limited/restricted travel/mobility options (ao needed to stay out of the hands of opponents), exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and/o additional identification requirements Psychological stress and trauma.

As a way forward, some of the things WHRDs need were discussed as; Supporting physical, mental, and economic safety of individual WHRDs Safe travel facilitations, support to not have to use public transport Short- and mid-term safe houses/ shelters (incl for WHRDs’ children / immediate family members under threat) & support of relocation both in and outside the country or region Providing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services, Advocate for establishing legal frameworks to criminalize violations against WHRDs Rapid response funding

The panel also discussed what Currently diplomatic missions are undertaking the following actions
Supporting physical, mental, and economic safety of individual WHRDs, Provision of temporary shelter through the Shelter City Program, as well as accompaniment of international organizations such as PBI Advocating for a victim-centered justice and WHRDs led approach. Partner with (I)NGOs providing gender sensitive MHPSS for WHRDs. Monitoring of attacks and restrictions, Speak up and speak out if WHRDs offices and meetings are restricted or attacked

And last but not least, the panel discussed how missions can address the current gaps through; Supporting physical, mental, and economic safety of individual WHRDs, Strengthen cooperation between EU countries to support (humanitarian) visas for relocation and/or to provide temporary shelter in the region. Collaborate with and assess lessons identified/learned from the Journalists in Distress Network and Protect Defenders
Advocate for establishing legal frameworks to criminalize violations against WHRDs Allocate a rapid response fund and periodically train staff how to respond in emergency cases.

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