GNWP newsletter Connecting for Peace, brings attention to the latest events in Uganda and the threat they pose to human rights. News from the Ground takes us to Afghanistan where we want to keep on the radar the importance of the Women’s Shelters’ independence and safety.
The work of Burundian GNWP member Fontaine-ISOKO (Fountain-ISOKO) is also featured in this issue.
We thank everyone who contributed to the newsletter!
Global News
Uganda in crisis
By Alexandra Stiles
Demonstrations in Uganda in the last three weeks have left eight people dead, more than 250 injured and an estimated 580 arrested. Protests were initially sparked by rising food and fuel prices, but have recently been stoked by the violent arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, whose peaceful ‘walk-to-work’ protests have been seen as inciting the civil society uprising. The ‘walk-to-work’ protests, intended to highlight the problem of fuel costs, have provoked a disparately heavy handed response from President Yoweri Museveni, resulting in a climate of fear and continued political unrest.
Demonstrations have spread beyond Kampala and the peaceful ‘walk-to-work’ protests have degenerated into angry riots in which Ugandan police are using force and fear to quiet a population troubled by its government’s behavior. President Museveni’s leadership, which was already being called into questions due to allegations of corruption and neglect of public services, has been heavily undermined by recent events.
To date little reporting has been dedicated to the impact of the demonstrations on women in Uganda and we have been informed by GWNP member Robinah Rubimbwa of Uganda’s Center for Women in Governance (CEWIGO) that women have not been the targets of violence. We do know however, that individual women and children have been subjected to violent episodes from Ugandan police, with teargas fired into schools, health centers and homes, where women and children reside and may be most at risk. The excessive use of violence is demonstrated by reports of the indiscriminate shooting of pregnant women on their way to antenatal classes – an abhorrent act of violence.
CEWIGO is currently working with other civil society groups, such as the Uganda Law Society and the National Forum for NGO’s, to respond to the social justice issues that have arisen from the protests. Rubimbwa explains: “We need to lend our voice to express our collective outrage at the violence happening all around us, the brutality being emitted to unarmed people including women and children – reminiscent of an era in our history which we had all imagined was behind us. We need calm to be restored in order to challenge the premises on which the present crisis is being justified – by both the proponents and opponents of the ‘walk-to-work’ campaigns. We are all shocked and hurting.”
It is paramount that preventative actions are put into place to lessen the impact of conflict on women, so that they are not disadvantaged in terms of personal safety, health and sexual violence. GNWP would encourage any regional or international involvement, such as from the UN or the East African Community, to reiterate the importance of protecting human rights and to recognize the consequences of conflict on women and children. At the time of writing CEWIGO and its partners are waiting to hear from the Chief of Police as to whether they are able to hold a silent march, with attendees dressed in white. GNWP fully supports the actions of NGO’s such as CEWIGO in their peaceful intervention and their fight to have the human rights atrocities taking place in Uganda recognized and stopped.
News From the Ground
Afghan Women’s Shelters Celebrate Success over Government attempt to take control – But will it last?
By Julia Bolt
In February 2011, the issue of the Afghan government taking control of women’s shelters made headlines around the world. Concerns were raised by civil society groups, human rights agencies, national governments and international NGO’s, that the safety of women in Afghan shelters would be undermined by this damaging change in policy. GNWP have since been informed by GNWP member Afifa Azim of the Afghan Women’s Network that international pressure, including a petition with over 4,000 signatures, resulted in a repeal from the Afghan government. The shelters will continue to work together with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, but will remain independent from the government.
Afghanistan’s women’s shelters were first created in 2003 after grassroots activists felt it was necessary for women to have a safe haven from domestic violence. From their conception women’s shelters have provoked controversy; resulting in stories of Afghan police officers raiding a shelter accusing the women residing there of prostitution. Even though the women’s shelters had come to an agreement with the Ministry of Interior to keep the police in the dark from the beginning, police claimed that if the shelter was “official” they should be aware of its existence. Following this event, police officers are said to have come to an agreement with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs that the Ministry would represent the shelters in government while the shelters would continue to be run independently.
This agreement was respected until January 2011, when the Afghanistan’s Council of Ministers made the decision to wrest control over Afghan Women’s Shelters. The decision was made in reaction to public animosity toward shelters caused by negative media attention in Afghanistan. Right-wing radio broadcaster, Nasto Naderi, was one of many voices speculating that shelters were merely fronts for prostitution. These allegations have been credited with helping influence President Karzai’s change in policy and his recommendation that there was a necessity for “more oversight and monitoring” of the shelters.
These changes left shelter activists fearful that the protection of the shelter’s residents would be compromised – an issue of utmost importance in cases of escapees from abuse and violence. With women playing a secondary role in society, culture and government, it was apparent that women would not be involved in any policy decisions around women’s shelters. What’s more, the lack of consultation with women on the ground suggested Karzai’s government was not prepared to work with women to create an environment that was true to their needs.
It has been reported that under government rule, residence of women’s shelter would be forced to return to husbands or families if they were collected from the shelter – putting them back into imminent danger. Women involved with shelters, such as Orzala Ashraf Nemat, an Afghan Women’s rights activist and pioneer of the shelter movement, believed that government control “would defeat the purpose of having the shelters, because women would no longer be able to escape from abuse, violence, forced marriage, and possible murder.” Additionally, being aware that the government is involved may stop some women from even attempting to seek protection at shelters, leaving them nowhere to go.
Whilst President Karzai’s change of policy is a welcomed move, it is not yet clear how women’s shelters will be managed by the Ministry of Justice. It is important that it is not presumed that women in Afghan shelters are now safe from political and social pressure and that advocacy for the protection of women and for political equality continues.
Featured Member
Fountain ISOKO for Good Governance and the Integrated Development – Burundi
By Seconde Nyanzobe/Alexandra Stiles
Founded in 2006 on the principles of Equality, Integrity and Excellence, Fountain ISOKO for Good Governance and the Integrated Development was created by women and men committed to working hand in hand in building a just society and bringing positives change to Burundi and the Great Lakes region of Africa.
By contributing to Burundian peace building and good governance processes, Fountain-ISOKO’s mission is to promote a competitive and entrepreneurial culture for the active, non-violent and lasting development of Burundi. Fountain-ISOKO’s work takes place against a backdrop of poor governance and corruption; high unemployment; a lack of political will and where sexual and gender based violence is prevalent. Its objectives are to:
Fountain-ISOKO has made a significant impact to the promotion of equality, peace and integrity for the lives of women and men in Burundi and the Great Lakes region of Africa. Its goals for the future are to continue to advocate for female participation at all levels of government; contribute to good governance initiatives for Burundian local and national authorities; further develop the Research and Training Centre on Gender; continue to develop the ISOKO Network for Boys and Men against Gender Based Violence and its work on the “Promotion of the participation and appropriation by women in the Transitional Justice mechanisms” (Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the International Penal Court for Burundi) and on promotiong the Accountability for political mandates.
