The Women Human Rights Defenders Conference 2019
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THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONFERENCE 2019 THEME: STEP INTO YOUR PURPOSE AND REFOCUS FOR 2020 DATE: 12TH DECEMBER, 2019 VENUE: GOLF COURSE HOTEL, KAMPALA The Human Rights Centre Uganda Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publisher. Published by The Human Rights Centre, Uganda, Plot 198, Mugulusi Close, Kyanja P.O Box 25638, Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 414 266186 / +256 704 424466 Toll Free: 0800333000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.hrcug.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/hrcug Facebook: www.facebook.com/hrcug THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONFERENCE 2019 Abbreviations and Acronyms. i. HRCU The Human Rights Centre Uganda ii. WHRD Women Human Rights Defender iii. PWG Phenomenal Women Uganda iv. ED Executive Director v. CEO Chief Executive Director vi. Phenomenal Women Global (PWG) vii. PWU Phenomenal Women Global viii. OIKOS ix. NGOs Non-Government Organizations x. IV Intravenous xi. ULS Uganda Law Society THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONFERENCE 2019 Background In October 2017, HRCU launched and economically empowered. its first thematic report on Women Human Right Defenders Basing on the above background, (WHRDs). Women human rights HRCU in 2018 organized inaugural defenders (WHRDs) are broadly Women HRD conference at Golf defined as both men and women Course hotel where Women HRDs who work in defense of women’s shared various issues they had rights or on gender issues. Many faced in the due course of their WHRDs work without realizing work. And in a spirit of follow that they are directly or indirectly up concerning the resolutions on working as WHRDs in the areas their challenges. In December of health, education, family, Law, 2019, HRCU in collaboration with Advocacy and empowerment of Phenomenal Women Uganda with women among others. the financial support from Irish Aid through Defend defenders Part of the findings of the organized the Women Human report were that the challenges Rights Defenders’ Conference in WHRDs faced were determined Kampala, Uganda. Phenomenal by the prevailing social, Women Uganda (PWG) is a non- cultural, economic and political profit organization affiliated to environment that lead to poor Phenomenal Women Global in funding and capacity, challenges Geneva, Switzerland which has a of access to Justice, inadequate mission to empower and provide support mechanisms among leadership skills to women and others. girls in order for them to achieve their personal and professional The Centre recognized that in goals, in particular those from order for women human rights underserved communities. This defenders to mitigate some of Conference was the second these challenges and realize their conference to be held in Uganda full potential while maximizing with the funding support of the impact with increased efficiency Embassy of Ireland through and effectiveness, there’s a need Defend Defenders. for women to create networks; and for them to be politically, socially It was a one day conference for THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONFERENCE 2019 1 Women Human Rights Defenders meaningful and lasting and leading women from different impact in their spheres of Economic, Political and Social influence; and enhance their spheres of influence in Uganda current career or business and internationally under the opportunities theme, Step into your purpose and • Provide Young Women refocus for 2020 and the guest of Human Rights Defenders honor was—Her Ladyship Justice with the opportunity to Catherine Bamugemereire. The discover various career paths specific objectives were; and options while reflecting on their professional Objectives development. • Provide a platform for women The conference aimed at Human Rights Defenders enabling WHRDs create to network with a purpose authentic networks with women and build partnerships with professionals, entrepreneurs, and leading women and other innovators to enable a thriving Women Human Rights future, including through career Defenders from differentadvice and mentoring while also economic, political and social supporting women in underserved spheres of influence in Uganda communities. • Provide inspiration, opportunities and innovating Target Group ideas for Women Human Rights Defenders to step into The Conference brought together their purpose and realize their WHRDs, generations of women life goals, while maintaining a who are achievers, middle-level- healthy work- life and spiritual emerging leaders and young balance students as well as participants • Equip Women Human Rights from Government institutions, Defenders with the necessary Civil Society Organizations, knowledge and leadership international organizations and skills to achieve their full diplomatic missions. potential in order to attain 2 THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONFERENCE 2019 The conference was attended by Hoima, Jinja, Gulu, Lira, Masaka 98 participants in total of which and Kampala. Switzerland and 89 were female and 9 male. These Zimbabwe. The facilitators included Diplomats, Members of included- the HRCU staff and the Parliament, Representatives from members of Phenomenal women. the Justice Law and Order Sector, Civil Society Organizations, There were motivational speakers- Politicians, Business community, ted x style, panel discussions, students and Academia. The round table and demonstrations- participants came from Mbarara, and here were also exhibitions Mbale, Kapchorwa, Kabarole, THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONFERENCE 2019 3 WELCOME REMARKS The Executive Director of the Human Right Centre Uganda-Ms. Margaret Sekaggya gave the welcome remarks as follows: She welcomed the Guest of Honor Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, the government officials present, HRCU staff, the members of Phenomenal Women Global and the Ugandan chapter, the Human rights defenders and students to the second W HRDs conference 2019. She thanked the Embassy of Ms. Margaret Sekaggya giving Ireland for the financial support welcoming remarks it provided for the Conference through Defend Defenders. Then she gave a brief about the Human Rights Centre Uganda. Ms. Margret Sekaggya also highlighted the objectives of the conference and stated that after the first conference, there was need to continue to engage different stakeholders and women HRDs needed a platform to discuss pertinent issues that affect them in their personal lives and in their work. In a special way, she thanked the participants for honoring the invitation to the conference amidst their busy work schedules. Ms. Margret Sekaggya concluded by highlighting the different topics that were to be discussed during the conference and these included; Labor Export in Uganda and emerging Human Rights Issues, Women traversing the worlds of Innovation, Entrepreneurship an Technology among others and how they were to contribute to the participants’ preparation of 2020. 4 THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONFERENCE 2019 OPENING REMARKS Ms. Liza Sekaggya the founder of the Phenomenal Women Global welcomed the Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire and the participants at large to the conference. She then gave a brief of her life’s history and how her search for purpose in life resulted into discovering a need and passion to uplift and empower women socially, economically and politically thus the formation of Phenomenal Women Ms. Liza Sekaggya giving her remarks Global to bring about the desired purpose. Phenomenal Women Global (PWG) is a non-profit organization that aims to empower and provide leadership skills to women and girls, in particular those in underserved communities. A variety of gender-specific leadership and career development events are organized including annual conferences around the world. She concluded by showcasing a short documentary on the milestones of Phenomenal Women Global (PWG) done in Switzerland, Boston, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONFERENCE 2019 5 INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER Breaking Barriers, Changing the Narrative and Restoring Hope to Become the Best of Who You Are “Let’s Write Life” The inspiration speaker of the day She reiterated the fact that what was Ms. Beatrice Byemanzi the happened in the past cannot be OIKOS ,Director at the Worship changed so people should purpose Harvest Ministries. to move on past their past. She spoke against holding onto She encouraged participants to the past and the troubles that take control of their lives and come with such a mindset. She stop blaming everyone for their cautioned all participants that failures in life. And on the road people with a negative mindset to taking control of one’s life, she never move on into their future encouraged the participants to and thus crippling their success make friends and get mentors. in both the present and the future. Ms. Beatrice Byemanzi giving her Motivation speech. 6 THE WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONFERENCE 2019 Key note Address by the Guest of Honour: Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire The Lady Justice Catherine Bamugemereire was the Guest of Honor and gave a key note address; "Step into your purpose and refocus for 2020". She is the Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into land matters and also a Justice of the Court of Appeal/ Constitutional Court of Uganda. She thanked the Human Rights Centre Uganda and Phenomenal Women for inviting her to the event and later went on to give the participants an eye opening and enlightening speech. The following are the