The 47TH CEDAW (Convention on Elimination of All Forms of discrimination Against Women) in Geneva Oct 2010

It is now a year since I came back from Geneva where I had gone to observe a high-level dialogue between the Government of Uganda and the CEDAW committee. This was a fascinating experience to see first-hand how the process works, and to get a chance to interact with and lobby CEDAW Committee members.

Before attending the CEDAW session, we had training with IWRAW (International Women’s Rights Action Watch) which is an international NGO based in Malaysia that builds the capacity of NGOs to use CEDAW, and there after supports them in their participation at the UN during the period when their governments are being examined. The training was immensely beneficial in helping me learn how to participate in a UN meeting. 

My Lobbying skills were quite enhanced and improved. A lunch briefing was organized by the Ugandan team with the CEDAW committee as a way of lobbying to raise our concerns during the committee dialogue with our government. It was also an opportunity to clarify on any issues/questions the committee had about our state party report and the NGO shadow/ alternative report.

The meeting was a success, as the team was able to highlight key issues to the Committee members and make recommendations on issues to be included in the concluding observations to State Party.

It was an empowering and exciting experience. It was astonishing to realize CEDAW experts were ordinary women and men who were very much interested and actively involved in the open discussions we had. Something I personally did not expect; it was not any different to lobbying our local politicians.

I had an opportunity to attend the formal meeting of NGOs with CEDAW committee members.NGOs were allocated time to make oral presentations to the Committee Experts on key issues relating to the rights of women in their countries. Countries that were represented included Czech Republic, Malta and Uganda. I was amazed by the fact that worldwide women issues are no different from those in Uganda.

The last session at the UN was observing the CEDAW Committee Constructive Dialogue alongside the State Party. It was quite disturbing to see the government delegation trying to present a picture that everything was alright in Uganda yet the situation was contrary to that. Unfortunately for the Ugandan delegates, the committee experts had all the information and the Ugandan delegation headed by Rukia Isanga Nakadama, Minister of State for Gender, Labor and Social Development were in the hot seat. Throughout the session we were delighted that various issues we presented to the Committee members were being raised in their dialogue with the government which included:

·        The status of rural women

·        Women with disabilities

·        VAW(Violence Against Women) and what services available to victims and penalties faced by perpetrators

·        The delay  in passing the Marriage and Divorce Bill

·        Harassment of sex workers

The challenge now is to use CEDAW as a way of getting the government to account for their international obligations to advance gender equality, to use it as a powerful lobbying tool to transform society and build our communities, workplaces and homes into more equal and fair places. It was definitely an enriching, empowering and unforgettable experience. I would like to conclude with this relevant quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, a woman who had significant influence in the drawing up of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

LUCKY NUMBER 7…..THE BYAMUGISHA’S FAMILY ( An article written by My daughter)

Seems like an ordinary family right! ..... well , not quite but as they always say, " looks can be deceiving ." This is no ordinary family but a handful for the two seniors. The ration is big indeed , 2.5...... definately a tiresome job but that does not stop the two super saving the day with two super humans from saving the day with each setting sun and passing moon

Mr. Byamugisha Bweebare Cyprian; the commander in chief, our knight in shining armor and pillar on which we all rest. Quiet, composed, intellectual, loving, wise, selfless, caring plus a devoted husband and father. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things he has done for us and it would last for eternity. A public civil servant in one of the prominent schools in Uganda where he renders his services as a Geography teacher. Several years in the field have earned him the honor of heading the Geography Department and being acknowledged as one of the best teachers in the school. Teaching has always been his passion and from the very beginning he knew that he was destined to help in educating and empowering the young generation with knowledge he has natured for years. He has authored various self-help text books that cover all the papers in Geography and these have proved to be major stepping stones in the success of many students. But he is not all work without play, he loves music and photography.

Mrs.  Fortunate Paska Byamugisha; the second in command, peacemaker, judge and the reason our spiritual life is upright. Her soft, caring, loving, passionate, strong willed, authoritative and impartial character have seen our family flying high with great respect and dignity. It is because of these exceptional qualities that served at Action For Development (ACFODE) a women’s rights Organisation for more than 1O years. Her strong faith in God has taken her places and continues to believe that it is through God that she is continuing to achieve.  She is currently working as a Gender Expert for Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung Africa Limited an organisation that implements grassroots projects focused on improving the livelihoods of smaller holder coffee farmers in Uganda. Her activity for leisure is quite obvious…..reading the Bible and making sure we are in order.

FaithAnne the second born, 12 years of age and in her final year of junior school. She is fun to be with because of her never ending tales about school and her social life. She is hardworking, very….mark the very intelligent and outspoken. During her free time she loves eating, singing, dancing, reading, watching TV and listening to music. She would love to be a Cardiologist in future because few have succeeded in this field and it will be a challenge she will love to take on.

Collins, third in line, 9 years and a half is playful, talkative, and witty and has a passion for life in the fast lane. His need for speed and love for cars has inspired him to want to be a rally driver and looks up to Lewis Hamilton in Formula One and Ponsiano Rakataka on the local scene. Boys will be boys and he is involved in several sports activities like football and basketball.

Franklyne, 7 years has all the characteristics of a middle child though she is not. Her sweet, quiet, ever smiling and jolly nature cannot go unnoticed. Her love for fashion has inspired her to be fashion designer at her tender age. She loves to draw sketches in her spare time.

Trinity is 5 and loud…and I mean really LOUD! Being the last born and the sweetheart of the house she is quite a handful but all the same fun and loveable. She admires her school teachers and hopes to be one someday.

As for me…..well, I have so many different personalities and at times I do not know which one is taking course. Being 18 years and beginning to be independent is proving to be a challenge but I am ready to take it on. As I am the first born and the leader of the gang, I have to be careful in everything I do so that I set a perfect example for my siblings. Though I have had a series of unfortunate events in the past, I am destined for greatness. It is not how many times a man falls but how he gets up is what matters you know, so all hope is not lost. There is still light at the end of my tunnel. I love music, photography, social networking, reading (actually I read just about everything) watching movies, doing charity work and of course writing. I would love to be an entrepreneur when I grow up but in the mean time I am going to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and specialize in Marketing.   

There you have it! An exclusive inside scoop about the LUCKY 7…..Small family with BIG DREAMS!

BarbraVyanne Bweebare.