The First Women's Parliament Report 2015

Womens Parliament, July 2015 Page 1

REPORT OF THE FIRST WOMENS PARLIAMENT

HELD ON TUESDAY, 7TH JULY 2015 AT THE

PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

If we do not know where we have come from, we can never understand where

we are.


Table of Contents

Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 4

1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 6

2 Highlights of the Deliberations ............................................................................................. 8

2.1 Communication from the Chair .................................................................................... 8

2.2 Status of CEDAW ........................................................................................................ 9

2.3 Statement on the Implementation of Gender Related Laws ........................................10

2.4 Statement on the Domestic Violence Act 2010 ...........................................................11

2.5 Implementation of Prevention of Trafficking of Persons Act ........................................12

2.6 Right to Ownership, Access and Control of land and property by Women ...................12

2.7 Implementation of Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Act 2010 ...............13

2.8 The Struggle for Womens Emancipation and Empowerment .....................................13

2.9 Debate/Plenary ...........................................................................................................15

3 Recommendations .............................................................................................................20

4 Responses .........................................................................................................................21

4.1 UN Response .............................................................................................................21

4.2 Government Response ...............................................................................................22

4.3 Donor Response .........................................................................................................23

5 Way Forward .....................................................................................................................23

6 Closing Remarks ................................................................................................................24

Annex I: Order Paper ................................................................................................................25

Annex II: Presentations .............................................................................................................25

Annex 3: Attendance: .................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.


Acronyms

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women

CEDOVIP Center for Domestic Violence Prevention

CSOs Civil Society Organisations

DV Domestic Violence

EU European Union

FGM Female Genital Mutilation

GBV Gender based violence

GWED-G Gulu Women Economic Development and Governance

HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus

MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies

MoH Ministry of Health

MoLG Ministry of Local Government

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

MP Member of Parliament

NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations

REACH Reproductive Educative and Community Health Program

TIP Trafficking in Persons

UN United Nations

UWOPA Uganda Women Parliamentary Association

WFD Westminster Foundation for Democracy


Executive Summary

The Parliament of Uganda held the first ever Womens Parliament on Tuesday, 7th July

2015 in the Parliament Chambers. The Womens Parliament was held under the theme:

Women Participation and Empowerment: addressing the Challenges of CEDAW

Implementation. The aim of the Womens Parliament was to provide a platform for

dialogue on gender issues. The event was organized by the Parliament of Uganda in

collaboration with Uganda Women Parliamentary Association and funded by the

European Union through the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. In attendance

were over 200 delegates comprising Members of Parliament, Development Partners,

Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Local Government, Civil Society

Organizations (CSOs), Media, Academia, Faith based organizations, women from the

grassroots, and students.

The Womens Parliament was the first of its kind and was a build up from the initiative

by Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) to benchmark the South

African Parliament, with support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy

(WFD) back in April 2015. The initiative was facilitated by Mr. Mohamad K. Mansura, an

expert and former deputy Clerk of the National Assembly of South Africa. The key

outcome then was the resolution to pilot a womens parliament.

The Resource persons were drawn from among the sitting members of Parliament and

representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and government ministries. The

presentations and discussions revolved around the implementation of CEDAW related

legislation with focus on achievements, challenges and way forward noting that Women

and girls were still faced with a number of challenges that had to continuously and

collectively be addressed by various stakeholders. The debates on the presentations

were the source of this comprehensive report that will subsequently be tabled and

debated in the House.

The Government was commended for giving women space to fight for their rights and

the Rt. Hon Speaker, Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, for supporting the women cause.

Special recognition was made of the First Lady and Hon Minister for Karamoja Affairs

for promoting the Prevention of the Elimination of Mother-to-child Transmission in the

country.


Among the recommendations made during the debate were the following:

Members of Parliament undertake special audit of the certificate of financial

implication for each gender law implemented.

Members of Parliament to ensure there is a gender and equity sensitive budget

under the Public Management and Finance Act 2015.

Need for popular versions and translations of the Acts into regional local

languages as well as more resources for implementation of CEDAW.

Government sets up a Witness Protection Agency and shelters for victims of

gender based violence and trafficking.

Gender issues be placed on the primary and secondary school syllabi and taught

in schools.

Endeavour to hold the Womens Parliament at district level

Women employees should consider joining trade unions

Women should actively participate in the upcoming elections

Women councils to support government in implementation of legislation

More effort be placed on economic justice

Parliament condemn in highest terms the issue of sexual harassment

The womens parliament was successfully inaugurated as a platform for womens

agenda and the objectives of the days event were achieved. The Uganda Women

Parliamentary Association pledged to hold the event annually. While the call was made

to Government and others stakeholders not to let the advocacy slip, the onus was on

the women and women leaders to address the issues maintain the commitment and

move together as a group in order to change the society.


1 Introduction

Westminster Foundation for Democracy with funding from the European Union is

implementing a project titled: Enhancing civil engagement and political dialogue on

the implementation of legislation supporting CEDAW. The action objective is to

create greater horizontal and vertical accountability on the implementation of legislation

affecting women and girls. The process is designed to encourage new relationships

between the local councils and CSOs for horizontal accountability as well as between

CSOs, Councils and Parliament for vertical accountability. Component of gender

legislation and policies in the project is also a priority hence the link for the hosting of

the womens parliament to act as a drive for the voice to the women as a whole.

Therefore, Parliament of Uganda through the Uganda Women Parliamentary

Association (UWOPA) with support from Westminster Foundation for Democracy

organized the first Womens Parliament with the theme: Women Participation and

Empowerment: addressing the Challenges of CEDAW Implementation on

Tuesday 7th July 2015 in the Parliament Chambers. The objective of the event was to

create an inclusive platform for dialogue on gender issues with participation from

national and local level.

Specifically, the Womens Parliament addressed the following:

Discussed the status and hurdles of implementation of the gender legislation

enacted by Parliament

Deliberated on how Parliament, MDAs and Local Government could effectively

monitor implementation of CEDAW Legislation through state and non-state

structures

Discussed on how to enhance CSOs engagement to create greater vertical and

horizontal accountability in the legislative sphere.

Topics and Resource persons

1. An Overview of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of

Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Hon. Kwagala Olivia Kabaale

(Chairperson working group on womens parliament and MP Iganga District)

2. Statement on the Implementation of Gender Related Laws Hon. Betty Amongi,

(Chairperson UWOPA)


3. Implementation of the Domestic Violence Act - Tina Musuya, (Executive Director

CEDOVIP)

4. Implementation of Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation Act 2010 - Beatrice

Chelangat, (Director General REACH)

5. Implementation of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2009 - Mr. Moses

Binoga, Assistant Commissioner Police - Anti Trafficking Unit (Ministry of Internal

Affairs)

6. The Right to Ownership, Access and Control of land and property by Women

Going beyond Reforms and Legal Provisions - Mr. Eddie Nsamba Gayiiya,

(Secretary General Shelter and Settlement Alternatives)

7. Domestic Violence Ac/Land Act - Ms Pamela Angwech, Executive Director-

GWED-G as a contributing resource person.

Methodology

The Womens Parliament took on the form of a parliament setting with deliberations

following an Order Paper. Presentations were made by Members of Parliament,

representatives of Civil Society Organisations and Ministry of Internal Affairs. The topics

were debated by Members of the House and mitigation measures proposed. Responses

were also obtained from the Donors, UN Women and Government Officials.


Participants attending the session in the Parliament chamber - Uganda

This report, therefore, contains highlights of the speeches, formal presentations made,

summaries of the debate and the way forward on each of the identified challenges, and

a number of recommendations for stakeholders.

2 Highlights of the Deliberations

Prayers were led by Ms Merina Barungi, Clerk Assistant - Parliament of Uganda.

2.1 Communication from the Chair

Hon. Jalia Bintu Lukumu Abwooli, District Woman Representative - Masindi

District

The Speaker for the day, Hon Jalia Bintu, welcomed all the delegates to the Parliament

of Uganda. The Rt. Hon Speaker was unable to be in attendance because of State

duties but was in support of the event and wished the participants good deliberations.

The Speaker recognized the different stakeholders present: MPs, Ministers,

Development Partners, representatives of women leaders from grassroots, CSOs,

UWOPA. She made special recognition of Hon Rhoda Kalema, the first woman Member

of Parliament in Uganda.

She observed that the Womens Parliament was the first of its kind and the initiative had

become reality after UWOPA benchmarked the South African Parliament during a


workshop supported by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) back in

March 2015. She elaborated on the theme and purpose of the event which was to

create an all inclusive parliament and dialogue on gender issues with the aim of creating

political will.

She spoke to the Order Paper of the day and requested the Clerk to guide the

proceedings.

2.2 Status of CEDAW

Hon. Kabaale Kwagala Olivia, District Woman Representative, Iganga District

(Executive member UWOPA)

As part of the background and importance of CEDAW, Hon Kwagala referred to the

adoption of CEDAW1 by United Nations in 1979 and ratification by Government of

Uganda in 1985. The legislation enacted in Uganda included Domestic Violence Act,

Trafficking Act, FGM Act etc. CEDAW was regarded as a bill of Rights for women and

was formulated on the realization that extensive discrimination continued despite the

existing human rights treaties. The Convention provided the basis for realizing equality

between women and men through ensuring womens equal access and opportunities in

political and public life. As part of the reporting process, Uganda was committed to

submitting national reports at least once every 4 years to the CEDAW committee,

monitoring compliance and implementing recommendations of the Committee.

The reports had to include gender analysis. Upon submission of the report, the

committee considered the report and requested for additional information where

necessary. Noteworthy was the fact that CSOs also submitted a shadow/alternative

report. Among the roles of Parliament highlighted were (i) Participation in the reporting

process (ii) ensuring national laws, policies, programmes and budgets reflected the

principles and obligations of the Convention (ii) participation in the meetings between

the State Parties and the CEDAW committee.

In terms of progress, a multi-sectoral framework for monitoring and reporting on

implementation had been formulated and compilation of the 8th country report had been

initiated.

Amongst the challenges faced during implementation were (i) Supremacy of

Constitution over the Acts, (ii) Acts not rightly implemented and those implemented

have shortcomings (iii) Several reporting requirements which causes fatigue (iv) Lack of

financial and human resource capacity (v) Universal periodic review.

1 CEDAW has 188 States Parties and 99 signatories.


In moving forward, there was need to strengthen coordination and building of synergies

amongst stakeholders, disseminate the provisions of CEDAW, strengthen national

machinery for proper undertaking of function and ratification of protocols.

While concluding, the Hon Member recognized the presence of male members of

UWOPA, representatives of the media and technocrats. She thanked the Speaker for

the opportunity and requested to electronically lay the report on Table immediately.

2.3 Statement on the Implementation of Gender Related Laws

Hon Betty Amongi, Member of Parliament, Oyam South (Chairperson UWOPA)

In her introduction, Hon Betty Amongi emphasized the need to evaluate fundamental

international and national commitments on gender issues. She referred to the UN

Declaration of Human Rights signed in 1948 and quoted the section All human beings

are born equal. This implied that human rights were birthrights for all people, and

Government was bound to protect all rights. She further attested to Uganda being a

signatory to (i) CEDAW 1979, (ii) Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action 1995,

(iii) UN Council Resolution, (iv) Protocol of African Charter on human & Peoples Rights

1981, and (v) African Union.

The handout highlighted progress and challenges of the (i) Domestic Violence Act 2010

(ii) Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act 2010 (iii) Prohibition of Trafficking in

Persons, (iv) Land Amendment Act 2004 (v) Mortgage Act 2009 and (vi) Equal

Opportunities Act 2007.

She referred to the average percentage of women in the Parliament of Uganda in 2013

which was 35%. This was no mean achievement by the women of Uganda. Other

achievements highlighted were (i) Gender parity measures in most primary schools (ii)

increase in women ownership to land (iii) Enactment of several laws in support of

women such as Land Ownership Act, Mortgage Act, Employment Act, Right of Persons

with Disabilities, Equal Opportunities Act, Local Government Act (iv) 37% of women in

formal employment with relatively equal pay as that of men holding similar positions.

However, the following challenges facing women were noted:

High mortality and maternal mortality rates

Teenage pregnancies

Low household wealth and assets

Unequal access to and control of productive resources

Gender inequality in growth

Access to informal labour market


She invited responses to her presentation later on especially on the achievements,

gaps, and what could be done in moving forward.

2.4 Statement on the Domestic Violence Act 2010

Ms Tinah Musuya, Executive Director, Center for Domestic Violence Prevention

In the preamble, Ms Musuya provided information on why the need for the Domestic

Violence Act arose and its benefits. She emphasized the following prerequisites for

implementation of the Domestic Violence Act

Must have a framework for enforcement

Different sectors must work simultaneously

Need to have clarity of roles

Guidelines in place for each player

Need to take legal action against institutions that are not complying

Check enforcement activities

Obtain feedback from supervisors

Law users must be aware of the law

Sectors need technical guidance in implementation

As part of the status report, she narrated as follows: The DV Act was passed in 2010

and copies disseminated. Guidelines were provided and implementation commenced in

2011. The Ministry of Health (MoH) had reviewed guidelines, conducted a readiness

assessment exercise, and was currently developing a training manual for healthcare

workers. The Police form 3 had been revised; awareness creation campaigns launched

and were in the process of elevating family and childcare unit to a directorate. The

Director of Public Prosecution had also established a department for the related

activities and was developing a prosecutors manual. The Ministry of Gender, Labour

and Social Development (MoGLSD) had launched a data collection point and drafted a

national policy. The CSOs coalition worked closely with women rights organizations to

translate the Act in 8 local languages and had conducted trainings in various agencies.

She further highlighted what was desirable but had not happened yet: a budget

allocation to spearhead awareness campaign, training for law enforcers, monitoring of

implementation, establishment of public safe shelters, and enactment of required

legislation and coordination of all actors.

Consequently, the quick actions included review of the penal code, enactment of sexual

offences bill, marriage and divorce bill, succession and inheritance bill, and allocation of

resources in various sectors.


2.5 Implementation of Prevention of Trafficking of Persons Act

Mr. Moses Binoga, Coordinator, National Taskforce for Prevention of Trafficking

in Persons, Ministry of Internal Affairs

In the overview, Mr. Binoga indicated that most of the victims of trafficking were female

adults and children from all the regions of Uganda and the common destinations are

Asia, Saudi Arabia, China, South Africa, Sudan, Kuwait, Quatar, DRC and Kenya. The

victims were most often subjected to sexual exploitation, child labour, and human

sacrifice.

On status of implementation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as coordinator, had (i) set

up a multi-sectoral national counter-human trafficking system and structure, (ii)

developed and implemented the National Action Plan to counter TIP in Uganda (iii) built

capacity of MDAs through training and awareness raising (iv) implemented massive

awareness campaigns using various communication channels (v) a total of 8 suspects

had been convicted of charges related to trafficking in persons since 2013.

Among the challenges was an unclear agency for coordination and the low investigation

capacity of the police, sophistication in crime, drug and human trafficking, no proper

guidelines for advertising by the media, financial constraints for repatriation, the right to

a travel document, and unemployment and poverty.

The way forward spelt out the duties of a clear lead agency, requirement of a victim

assistance fund, participation of leaders in awareness campaigns, governments role in

reducing poverty and unemployment, and training of the stakeholders.

2.6 Right to Ownership, Access and Control of land and property by Women

Mr. Eddie Nsamba-Gayiira, Secretary General, SSA: UHSNET, Land & Housing

Specialist/Policy Analyst

In his introduction, Mr. Nsamba-Gayiira emphasized the issue of unequal access to and

control of land and other productive resources as a major form of inequality between

women and men and had consequences for women in the development process.

Access to the resources was essential to ensuring womens right to equality and to an

adequate standard of living.

He further spelt out the international, regional and national legal and policy framework in

support of womens rights to land, property and housing such as the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights 1948, CEDAW 1979, African Charter on human & Peoples

Rights 1981, the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action 1995, the Constitution

of the Republic of Uganda, Land Act 1998 and the Succession Act.


Among the challenges highlighted was the gap between key policy and legal

frameworks and reality, legal pluralism and the mindset on gender equality.

In his Call to action, he recommended a move from slogans to action, use of the power

of numbers of women to demand for gender equality, enactment of the Marriage and

Divorce bill, amendment of the Succession Act, address the mindsets of cultural leaders

and men in general, ensure legal literacy for women, audit of the performance of

Government in implementation of global, regional and national commitments, and lobby

Government to adopt the Eviction and Resettlement guidelines developed by

SSA:UHSNET among others.

2.7 Implementation of Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Act 2010

Ms. Beatrice Chelangat, Director General, REACH Programme

In her introduction, Ms. Chelangat defined the term female genital mutilation indicating

that the practice was found in more than 20 districts. She provided history on the

campaign against FGM which went as far back as 1925. A number of interventions were

made since then which culminated into a private members bill in 2009 and eventual

enactment of the legislation. She made special recognition of Hon. Rebecca Kadagas

efforts in the legal process.

Regarding implementation, the Act was disseminated widely although the traditional and

cultural perceptions linger on. The activities of FGM were openly condemned by local

leaders and the media, and the Government had joined hands with NGOs to address

FGM through community policing, dialogue and media. There was also evidence of

convicted persons.

Challenges in implementation included lack of political will, limited monitoring,

outreaches and law enforcement (since practice was being done in remote areas and at

odd seasons), and lack of medical attention due to the poor roads to health centres.

Suggested action points included joint efforts in the campaign, ensuring effective law

enforcement by addressing gaps of limited personnel, equipment and coverage by

police, empowering women economically, provision of secondary schools, and

compensation of survivors of FGM.

2.8 The Struggle for Womens Emancipation and Empowerment

Hon Rhoda Kalema, 1st Woman member of Parliament in Uganda

Hon Rhoda Kalema gave a history of the womens movement which dated as far back

as 1914. She referred to the onset of the Mothers Union in 1914 and the Uganda

Council of Women in 1946. The fundamental issues then were social justice, equality


and social development. With the appointment of women to the Legislative Council

during the period 1956 1962, the issues dealt with were girls education, women

representation to public bodies and in politics, and most of all, marriage and inheritance

law reforms. She further delved into the significant landmarks in the Uganda women

movement and highlighted the challenges of women emancipation. She noted that the

womens emancipation had grown faster and commended the Government for

educational opportunities for the girl child and wider political room created the

Affirmative Action. She urged the women to change focus from struggle to offering self.

She concluded by calling upon the woman leader to build leadership for tomorrows

leader and the far future leader for the perpetuity of the Women movement.


2.9 Debate/Plenary

There were 2 plenary sessions held and these were contributed to by the grassroots

women, Members of Parliament/Chairpersons of Committees and representatives from

CSOs. Contributions were made on the issues of CEDAW, womens rights, Girl Child,

Female Genital Mutilation, Domestic violence, trafficking of persons, and access to and

control of land and resources. The Womens Parliament commended Government for

giving women space to fight for their rights and recognized the efforts of the Rt Hon

Speaker for supporting the cause. The First Lady Hon. Minister for Karamoja Affairs

was also recognized for promoting the prevention of the elimination of mother-to-child

transmission.

A student participant contributing to the debate

Below are the issues generated from the 2 sessions and the recommendations made to

address the various challenges identified:


2.9.1 Convention of the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

Contributions were made on the good policy environment in Uganda regarding CEDAW

over the last five years and MPs were commended on ensuring the necessary

legislation. However, enforcement was lacking partly because Government departments

had low budgets for enforcement and local revenues were very low. Few people have

access to the enacted legislation and some are not able to read or understand the

various provisions.

Recommendations

(i) Need for popular versions and translations of the Acts into local languages and

development of additional tools to ease situation at lower levels. Further, utilization

of women lawyers to interpret laws for the women.

(ii) Gender literacy; Action should be taken to sensitize people and set up community

libraries which must be extended to schools. Government should support training of

leaders to promote understanding of gender issues.

(iii) Set up committees to steer implementation of laws including special audit of the

certificate of financial implication.

(iv) NGOs should be encouraged to continue supporting women networks to increase

effectiveness of women.

(v) Ensure equal access to education and support girls to attain the highest level

possible.

(vi) Elimination of disparities in provision of health services

(vii) Economic empowerment; facilitate development of rural areas and strengthen the

agricultural sector.

(viii) Personal initiative; Individuals buying a copy of the Act.

2.9.2 Womens rights/equal opportunities

Barriers and participation in labour market; Very few women and girls had access to

education because of cultural reasons which results in employment of more women in

informal sectors. In the formal sector, positions for Managing Directors and deputies

were usually offered to men while employment of women, which was at times based on

sexual harassment, was mostly seen at lower cadre positions. This had far reaching

implications; in the case of the casual basis arrangement rarely attracted maternity

leave and other benefits.


Women also experience poor working conditions during employment such as getting

fired when they get pregnant. Other issues included: Women with disabilities are not

given enough and proper attention during labour. There is demand for sex by men all

the time and yet women are not permitted to go for family planning. Women councilors

represent 3 sub counties in council and yet receive same amount of allowance as

others.

Recommendations

(i) Women are generally vulnerable and Government should intervene.

(ii) Rights of women should also be protected through the Trade Unions.

(iii) Affirmative action should be extended to all levels.

(iv) Midwives and special beds are required for women with disabilities.

2.9.3 Girl Child

The girl child is exposed to poor sanitation conditions while in school. Teenage

pregnancy is also on the rise as a result of defilement. The perpetrators of defilement

are usually the people with resources and always pay their way out of prison or court.

There is the issue of early marriages and pregnancies which are a cause of high

mortality rates. Child labour is hindering education of girls, and both the girl and boy

child are also exposed to drinking alcohol at an early age.

Recommendations

(i) Deliberately carry out community meetings to make parents aware of the girl

child education.

(ii) JLOS should devise ways of addressing the defilement cases

(iii) Need to address the culture of paying dowry so that girls are not seen as sources

of wealth which makes them susceptible to torture in the marital homes.

One of the women explained as such: I am a teacher

by profession. When I tried to get a job as a teacher, I

was told to sleep with the boss first. Since I could not

do that, I opted to go into business. I now operate as

a hawker which also has its challenges.

Masaka road w


2.9.4 Domestic Violence

Emphasis is usually placed on physical violence and yet emotional violence is equally

important. Drinking of alcohol and poverty are some of the causes of domestic violence

and polygamy, and has culminated in high divorce rates. Very few cases of DV are

prosecuted because people do not report; Women do not appear to know their rights,

fear the perpetrators and do not want to testify in court. There is a tendency of settling

cases out of court. There are also limited numbers of judicial officers to attend to the

cases of domestic violence.

Taking the example of northern Uganda, the cause of domestic violence is mainly

caused by land conflicts. Being a post conflict area, the people only have land left but

women are denied access to and adequate use of land.

Recommendations

(i) Government should intervene in post conflict areas, step up sensitization

campaigns on DV, and provide a one stop centre for cases of domestic violence

(ii) Women should speak up and report cases to police for prosecution

(iii) Issues of gender equality should be incorporated in school curricula and taught to

both male and female students

(iv) Checking of consumption of alcohol; Government should tax the local spirits

especially those in sachets

(v) Communities should be encouraged to promote income generating activities.

2.9.5 Trafficking in Persons

Some of the people involved in trafficking present themselves as NGOs and there

appears to be no protection from Government.

Recommendation: Government should ratify the protocol, enhance protection

mechanisms and provide shelters for people who are rescued.

2.9.6 Female Genital Mutilation

The activities of FGM are seasonal and some of the target places are hard-to-reach

areas where teachers are unable to reach and doctors are practically not available.

These activities spread beyond Uganda to the neighboring Sudan, Somalia and Kenya.


Recommendations

(i) Team work is required in addressing FGM; Government needs to put effort to

ensure access to education in the remote areas especially secondary schools;

(ii) Funding agencies should provide timely resources to create impact and save the

girl child;

(iii) CSOs need to make timely interventions in order to create impact;

(iv) Regional intervention; proposed strategies should target all the regional countries

involved.

2.9.7 Land and property

Women have been denied access to land and property. Women issues are not heard at

the grassroots level because they lack access to productive assets: the women own

nothing at the parents home and in the marital homes. These poverty levels do not

permit the women to access the necessary help, while the men can bribe the police

because they have money. Secondly, despite the laws, spousal consent does not

happen in practical terms; men sell off assets without the consent of women, men

refuse to develop land belonging to women, and usually beat them up. When it comes

to money, women do the saving in most cases but men have the means to access it

and use it for non-essentials such as to drink alcohol.

Recommendation

(i) Government should consider the laws regulating marriage such as the Marriage

and Divorce Bill 2009.

(ii) Women should be empowered economically.

(iii) Community campaigns should be promoted right down to village and parish level.

2.9.8 Other Gender related issues

2.9.8.1 Road Infrastructure: many of the roads in rural areas are poor and

distances to health centers are long. This makes it difficult for women to access medical

attention in a timely manner

Recommendation:

(i) Government should increase funding for road construction

(ii) Government should lift ban on construction of health center IIs.


2.9.8.2 Low participation: There is low participation of women in different sectors

because of HIV. The rate is on the rise and women are both being infected and affected

since they are usually the caretakers of entire families.

Recommendation: Build capacity of women to increase knowledge and skills of dealing

with HIV and other health related matters.

2.9.8.3 Articulation of issues by women is inadequate.

Recommendation: mentoring and coaching approach for leaders to effectively

represent women.

2.9.8.4 Use of media by women; some of the messages are accompanied by

indecent demonstrations causing negative portrayal of the issues.

Recommendation: Use media positively, Campaign for women with decency to

positively portray women issues, and ensure participation of women in media programs

which target the female gender.

2.9.8.5 Mama kits: The National Drugs Authority has excess mama kits in the

stores.

Recommendation: UWOPA should follow up the issue and determine the best strategy

for distribution of the kits.

2.9.8.6 Planning for families: Widows and orphans suffer setbacks after death of

bread winner/head of household.

Recommendation: mechanisms required for sensitization on making wills by

men/heads of households.

3 Recommendations

The following recommendations were made by the House:

i. Parliament should condemn in highest terms the issue of sexual harassment

ii. Government should increase the resources for implementation of CEDAW

legislation

iii. Parliament should ensure there is a gender and equity sensitive budget under

the Public Management and Finance Act 2015.

iv. Women councils should support Government in implementation of legislation


v. Government should support development of popular versions and translations of

the Acts into regional local languages

vi. Members of Parliament need to take special audit of the certificate of financial

implication for every law implemented.

vii. Gender issues should be placed on syllabus and taught in schools

viii. Women should use media positively in campaigning for women and girl child

issues

ix. Government, local leaders, Development Partners and NGOS should collectively

address issues of FGM

x. Take the concept of a womens parliament to the district level to allow other

leaders internalize and appreciate the issues.

xi. The Uganda Women Parliamentary Association should pursue a transitional

justice mechanism for post conflict areas

xii. Women employees should join trade unions which can provide a mechanism for

addressing employment related issues.

xiii. Women should actively participate in the upcoming elections and take up

leadership positions.

xiv. Shelters should be set up for victims of gender based violence and trafficking

xv. The Uganda Women Parliamentary Association should pursue and support

screening of women in the constituencies for cancer.

xvi. Government should fast track funding of the Uganda Women Enterprise

Program.

xvii. The advocacy for women as a disadvantaged group should include youth and

persons with disabilities

xviii. Each district should have a womens bank and offer services at a lower interest

rate

4 Responses

4.1 UN Response

Country Representative, UN Women

The Country Representative commended Parliament for the effort. She pledged to

support Parliament to hold the subsequent annual Womens Parliament. She


commended Uganda for having one of the best Constitutions in Africa, strong policies

and expressed pride in providing support to UWOPA. The major issue at hand was how

to ensure the issue of affirmative action goes beyond women representation in

parliament and the special measures required in addressing women issues for

elections, human rights, equal opportunity etc.

Some of these measures included capacity building for aspiring candidates, provision of

resources, civic education for all women, and support for women organizations. She

commended the performance of Women parliamentarians and emphasized that Uganda

would not reverse on rights provided for in the Constitution.

4.2 Government Response

4.2.1 Hon Sarah Opendi, Minister of State for Primary Health care

The Hon Minister commended the organizers and funders of the Womens Parliament.

She re-echoed the fact that power was in the hands of women. With regard to solving

the health related issues, Government had committed to constructing health center IIIs,

contraceptives were available in health centres in support of family planning, (iii)

Government had recruited 7,000 additional health workers.

With regard to teenage pregnancies, she encouraged women to restrain children from

accessing wrong videos. She further cautioned women to avoid religions that

discouraged immunization and education, and was positive that Uganda could eliminate

the mother-to-child transmission like Cuba had achieved.

In order to reduce the rates in trafficking, the Government had listed the companies

authorized to recruit youth for jobs abroad.

4.2.2 Hon Amelia Kyambadde, Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives

The Hon Minister saluted women and men in the House and went on to highlight

achievements for women issues in the country such as the number of women in

Parliament. Her major concern was the extent of commitment to some of the issues that

were debated citing womens silence on some social aspects such as incest and

polygamy, major sources of pain and suffering especially for the girls. Another issue

highlighted was the fiduciary victim in the boss-employee relationship or the teacher-

student arrangement.


4.3 Donor Response

4.3.1 EU Representative

Ms Rosette Sayson Meyer (Adviser - Human Rights, Conflict & Gender, EU) expressed

excitement over the outcome of the womens parliament; hearing voices of the women

talk. She encouraged the stakeholders not to let the advocacy slip, ensure follow up,

maintain the commitment and move together as a group in order to change the society.

First Adjournment

At this point the Speaker expressed her gratitude towards WFD and EU for facilitating

and funding the first womens parliament and pledged to hold the event annually. She

thanked UWOPA and all participants for honoring the invitation. She anticipated that

some of the issues debated would be addressed through the Parliament Outreach

Programmes and, thereafter, suspended the House until 2.00pm.

4.3.2 Senior Program Manager, WFD, Africa Region

Miss Majda ElBied was impressed by the event and proud to represent WFD and EU

programme. She was excited about the participation of each attendee. She referred to

the capacity building activities that were facilitated by the Consultant from South Africa

and had culminated into implementation of the concept by UWOPA/WFD. She

congratulated WFD/UWOPA and looked forward to being present during the 10th

Anniversary of the Womens Parliament.

The European Union was also impressed with the event, extended a congratulatory

message to every participant and was positive about collectively doing something to

improve women and girls in Uganda. She noted that Ugandas Constitution was strong

and that the country was advanced on womens issues. She reiterated the privilege of

being in attendance at the event.

She praised the efforts of the WFD team in Uganda, respectively Dorine Lakot,

Programme Manager and Baker Byamuhangi for organising the first womens

parliament.

5 Way Forward

The Speaker informed the House that the report on the Womens Parliament would be

circulated to Members and relevant stakeholders. She promised to brief the Rt. Hon

Speaker of Parliament about the proceedings of the House.


She thanked the donors for spending the day in the womens parliament and providing

the resources for the event and gave the assurance that the subsequent parliaments

would embrace other views and have action plans for many of the issues.

She was grateful to the participants for sparing time for the women cause and was glad

the women were departing with an informed position. She thanked UWOPA and WFD

for the initiative and reiterated Uganda being at the center of good practices.

6 Closing Remarks

Hon. Namara Grace, District Woman Representative, Lyantonde District

(Executive Member of UWOPA)

Hon. Namara thanked the Speaker for an excellent job of guiding the first womens

parliament. She was also grateful to UWOPA for organizing the Womens Parliament

and WFD/EU for funding the high profile event. The platform was initiated to enable

women share experiences since women suffered similar problems. The onus was on

women to address the issues, not to give up and continue the struggle.

She honored the presence of all participants and the experiences shared and assured

the House that the Womens Parliament would be an annual event. She called on all

stakeholders to continue the struggle and requested leaders to drive the women agenda

through the various platforms. It was not the time to shy away but to utilize opportunities

to sensitize women. She encouraged women to stand as one, speak the same

language, favour one another, and avoid being at war with each other and request for

help in support of one another.

She referred to the efforts of UWOPA in FGM, leadership, trafficking, DV, and

monitoring of health facilities. The Association was limited by funds but had the issues

on hand and would always be involved. She took the opportunity to recognize the

Executive Members of UWOPA. She also apologized to the districts that had not been

represented and pledged to do better in the subsequent year.

She thanked all the participants and hoped they have learnt some lessons from the

event. She specially recognized and thanked the WFD Programme Manager, Dorine

Lakot, Uganda who had coordinated all the activities. She wished the Muslim

participants a happy Ramadan, extended a message for the Christmas season and

success in the coming elections.

The House was adjourned at 6.00pm.


ANNEX I: ORDER PAPER

ANNEX II: PRESENTATIONS

1. AN OVERVIEW OF THE UN CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL

FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW), HON. KWAGALA

OLIVIA KABAALE

2. STATEMENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GENDER RELATED LAWS (DV

ACT 2010, TIP ACT 2009, FGM ACT 2010, EOC ACT 2009, LAND

AMENDMENT ACT 2004, AND THE MORTGAGE ACT 2009. BY HON. BETTY

AMONGI CHAIRPERSON-UWOPA

3. STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, BY TINA

MUSUYA CEDOVIP

4. IMPLEMENTATION OF PREVENTION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

ACT 2010, BY BEATRICE CHELANGAT, DIRECTOR GENERAL - REACH

PROGRAMME

5. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PREVENTION OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

ACT 2009 BY CP BINOGA MOSES THE COORDINATOR OF THE NATIONAL

TASK FORCE FOR PREVENTION OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS /

MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

6. THE RIGHT TO OWNERSHIP, ACCESS AND CONTROL OF LAND AND

PROPERTY BY WOMEN GOING BEYOND REFORMS AND LEGAL

PROVISIONS BY EDWARD NSAMBA SSA

The First Women's Parliament Report 2015

Documents

Transcript of The First Women's Parliament Report 2015