Women in Uganda: a Brief Socio-Political History

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Women in Uganda: a Brief Socio-Political History BEYOND NUMBERS Narrating the Impact of Women’s Leadership in Eastern Africa AWC African Woman & Child Feature Service The African Woman and Child Features Service (AWC) is a media, Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Nairobi, Kenya and covers the East Africa region. AWC’s vision is to promote diversity, gender equality and professional media for equitable development. Beyond Numbers: Narrating the Impact of Women’s Leadership in Eastern Africa © Copyright 2010 AWC Feature Service ISBN: 9966-7265-1-9 African Woman and Child Feature Service P.O. Box 48197 (00100) NAIROBI Phone: 254 20 -20-2724756, 2720554 Fax: 254-20-2718469 Email: info@awcfs.org Website: www.info@awcfs.org Editor: Professor Beverle Lax and Jane Godia Cover Design: Noel Creative Media Design and Layout: Noel Creative Media Sponsors: HIVOS Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................................... iv The Research Team ................................................................................................................................................................. v Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................................ vii Uganda viii Beyond Numbers Study Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Politics .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Women in Uganda: A Brief Socio-political History .............................................................................................................. 9 Gender in Mainstream Legislation and Policies .................................................................................................................. 34 The Affirmative Action Policy .............................................................................................................................................. 36 Tanzania 40 Beyond Numbers Study Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 41 The Political System ............................................................................................................................................................. 42 Rwanda 54 Beyond Numbers Study Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 55 Facilitators and Constraints .................................................................................................................................................. 59 Gender Specific Reforms/gender in mainstream legislation and policies ............................................................................ 62 Changing Attitudes and Transformation .............................................................................................................................. 65 Beyond Numbers Study 63 iii Kenya 70 Beyond Numbers Study Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 71 Constraints and facilitators .................................................................................................................................................. 80 Gender Specific Reforms ...................................................................................................................................................... 85 Gender in Mainstream Legislation and Policies .................................................................................................................. 89 Institutional Transformation .............................................................................................................................................. 94 Rationale of Gender and Governance Programme in Kenya .............................................................................................. 96 Gender discourse in Kenyan Parliament ............................................................................................................................ 105 Beyond Numbers Study 79 Sudan 119 Beyond Numbers Study Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................... 119 Beyond Numbers Study 127 iv Summary eyond Numbers is a first qualitative study of Eastern African women in political decision-making that explores the vast range in women’s access Bto decision-making – from that of Rwanda sporting close to 50 per cent of women’s representation in Parliament (the highest in the world) to that of Kenya’s 7.6 per cent of women’s representation in Parliament. The study on Eastern African women’s participation and representation in political decision-making is based on extensive global and regional literature reviews, as well as case material gathered on the three best performing countries, namely, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda; and two countries with very low representation of women in political decision-making, namely, Kenya and Sudan. An open-ended questionnaire and focus group discussions comprise the methodology used in this study. The purpose of this powerful study is to reveal how the women’s movement for participation and representation in political decision-making in Eastern Africa has moved forward in the interest of those who form at least one half of the population of these respective countries – women. The study measures the impact of a critical mass of women on such areas as institutional culture, gender, and service delivery. In addition, it examines the ability of female decision makers to challenge the status quo; change the attitudes of men and patriarchal forces; and change laws and policies that affect women directly. And, this study shows how the women’s movement in the five Eastern African countries advocates for gender mainstreaming in all laws, policies, and institutions. Further, the study examines the quota system and the extent to which it either helps or hinders women’s participation and representation in decision-making. The intention of this study is to form a regional grouping to move the women’s agenda forward. Also, this study aims to be combined with a similar study focusing on the South African experience to produce a document that will be used internationally by different institutions to strengthen and propel the women’s rights agenda, particularly concerning women’s participation and representation in political decision-making, globally. v Acknowledgements This study was made possible with the support of many people and institutions in Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Rwanda. We wish to single out the assistance received from Colleen Lowe Mona of Gender Links who carried out an initial training for the team of researchers who later worked on this project. We would like also to thank HIVOS for providing financial support to this project. The valuable insights that we received from partners and colleagues while working on the Nairobi+21 commemorative project in 2006 was also critical in the success of this project. Rosemary Okello of the African Woman and Child Feature Service provided overall guidance to the project while Wilson Ugangu coordinated the research in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan and Tanzania. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the field researchers who worked with others in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Sudan. Finally, we are grateful for the editorial eyes of Professor Beverle Lax and Jane Godia who at different times assisted in editing this publication. vi The Research Team Rosemary Okello-Orlale (Kenya) is the Executive Director African Evelyn Matsamura Kiapi is a Ugandan who has been practicing Woman and Child Feature Service (AWC), a media NGO focusing journalism for the past twelve years serving in different capacities on development communication in Africa. She the Secretary to from freelance writer to correspondent, sub editor and Product the Kenya Editor’s Guild as well as the Secretary General of the Editor at The Monitor (now Daily Monitor) an independent daily African Editor’s Forum. She holds MA New Media Governance in Uganda. and Democracy (Leicester University), Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore Business School), Post Graduate in Ms Kiapi who holds an honours bachelors degree in Mass Journalism (London School of Journalist), Post-Graduate Diploma Communication from Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda) in research methodology, Population Studies and Research and a Masters degree in Development Studies, University of Institute (Nairobi University) and also Executive Education Leeds (United Kingdom) is currently an independent journalist Strategic Frameworks for NGO (Harvard University-John F. and researcher with a speciality
Recommended publications
  • The Kenya General Election
    AAFFRRIICCAA NNOOTTEESS Number 14 January 2003 The Kenya General Election: senior ministerial positions from 1963 to 1991; new Minister December 27, 2002 of Education George Saitoti and Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka are also experienced hands; and the new David Throup administration includes several able technocrats who have held “shadow ministerial positions.” The new government will be The Kenya African National Union (KANU), which has ruled more self-confident and less suspicious of the United States Kenya since independence in December 1963, suffered a than was the Moi regime. Several members know the United disastrous defeat in the country’s general election on December States well, and most of them recognize the crucial role that it 27, 2002, winning less than one-third of the seats in the new has played in sustaining both opposition political parties and National Assembly. The National Alliance Rainbow Coalition Kenyan civil society over the last decade. (NARC), which brought together the former ethnically based opposition parties with dissidents from KANU only in The new Kibaki government will be as reliable an ally of the October, emerged with a secure overall majority, winning no United States in the war against terrorism as President Moi’s, fewer than 126 seats, while the former ruling party won only and a more active and constructive partner in NEPAD and 63. Mwai Kibaki, leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and of bilateral economic discussions. It will continue the former the NARC opposition coalition, was sworn in as Kenya’s third government’s valuable mediating role in the Sudanese peace president on December 30.
    [Show full text]
  • P a Rlia M E N Ta Ry S U Rve Y R E P O Rt S E P Te M B E R 2 0
    1 1 1 1 1 Parliamentary Survey Report September 2004 2 2 2 2 2 Parliamentary Survey Report September 2004 Parliamentary Survey Final Report Parliamentary Federation of Women Lawyers - Kenya - Lawyers Women Federation of September 2004 September By Okumba MirukaConsultant 3 3 3 3 3 Parliamentary Survey Report September 2004 4 4 4 4 4 Parliamentary Survey Report September 2004 Annex Seven: Questionnaire for Members of Parliament of Members for Questionnaire Annex Seven: Annex for Six: Questionnaire Fida Staff MPs Various on by Commented Topics on Table Five: Frequency Annex Issues Rights Clippings onWomen’s Newspaper Annex Four: 67 FidaAnnex Three: NumberEvents ofWho Attended Various Respondents 55 Fida MPs For Held by Activities of List Annex Two: 56 Respondents of List One: Annex Chapter Five:Recommendations 65 and Conclusions Summary Chapter Four: • 54 • • Findings Survey Three: Chapter Chapter Survey Two: Methodology Introduction : One Chapter 35 53 Foreword 47 A A 11 9 1 vii cknowledgements vi Part Three: Primary ResponsesPart Primary Three: Media Print in the Reported of Legislators Pronouncements Two: Part 19 Debates Parliamentary Held Legislators by During Part Positions One: 11 27 bbreviations v as Covered by Covered Printas Media 63 Contents 5 5 5 5 5 Parliamentary Survey Report September 2004 6 6 6 6 6 Parliamentary Survey Report September 2004 PRSPPICPAC Paper Strategy Reduction Poverty NAK Investments Public NARC Committee Public AccountsCommittee MP National Alliance of Kenya KNUT National Rainbow Coalition KHRCKEWOPA Member
    [Show full text]
  • 2005 Page 1 of 16 Kenya
    Kenya Page 1 of 16 2005 Human Rights Report Released | Daily Press Briefing | Other News... Kenya Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 8, 2006 Kenya is a republic with a population of approximately 34 million and is dominated by a strong presidency. The President is both the chief of state and head of government. In 2002 citizens elected Mwai Kibaki of the opposition National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) as the country's third president. Kibaki succeeded Daniel Arap Moi, who led the former ruling party, the Kenya African National Union (KANU), and who served as president from 1978 to 2002. During the 2002 general elections, KANU which had controlled both the presidency and the parliament continuously since 1963, lost its parliamentary majority to NARC, a coalition of more than a dozen political parties. Observers concluded that the elections reflected the popular will and were free and fair. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were some instances in which the security forces acted independently of government authority. The government in many areas respected the human rights of its citizens or attempted to institute reforms to address deficiencies. However, serious problems remained, particularly with regard to abuses by the police service. The following human rights problems were reported: • unlawful killings by police • police beatings and torture of detainees • impunity • harsh and life-threatening prison
    [Show full text]
  • The Power to Participate
    #2.11 PERSPECTIVES Political analysis and commentary from Africa THETHE CHALLENGESPOWER TO PAR OFT ICHANGECIPATE: BUILDING FEMINIST POLITICAL INFLUENCE IN AFRICA Contents Editorial 3 n Conversation Building Alliances in the Women’s Movement: The Challenges of Feminist Mobilisation in Nigeria Sokari Ekine and Emem Okon 4 n Debate Getting One’s House in Order: The Need for Feminists Inside State Structures Joy Watson 8 Let’s Play Outside! An Argument for Working Outside the State Shireen Hassim 9 n Conversation Gender Policy in South Africa Claire Mathonsi and Christi van der Westhuizen 12 n Women in Kenya’s Political Leadership: The Struggle for Participation in Governance through Affirmative Action Maria Nzomo 16 n Feminism and Elections in Kenya: Obstacles and Strategies Lyn Ossome 22 Heinrich Böll Foundation – Africa The Heinrich Böll Foundation, associated with the German Green Party, is a legally autonomous and intellectually open political foundation. Our foremost task is civic education in Germany and abroad with the aim of promoting informed democratic opinion, socio-political commitment and mutual understanding. In addition the Heinrich Böll Foundation supports artistic and cultural as well as scholarly projects, and co-operation in the development field. The political values of ecology, democracy, gender democracy, solidarity and non- violence are our chief points of reference. Heinrich Böll’s belief in and promotion of citizen participation in politics is the model for the foundation’s work. Our programme areas in Africa are: n Democracy n Sustainable Development n Human Rights n International Politics 2 Heinrich Böll Stiftung Editorial ver the last five decades, successive African vibrant and innovative women’s movements across the governments have promised their citizens continent have been central to realising these changes.
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf> (Accessed 12 Explicitly Feminist Platform in Future Elections, Beyond June 2011)
    #2.11 PERSPECTIVES Political analysis and commentary from Africa THETHE CHALLENGESPOWER TO PAR OFT ICHANGECIPATE: BUILDING FEMINIST POLITICAL INFLUENCE IN AFRICA Contents Editorial 3 n Conversation Building Alliances in the Women’s Movement: The Challenges of Feminist Mobilisation in Nigeria Sokari Ekine and Emem Okon 4 n Debate Getting One’s House in Order: The Need for Feminists Inside State Structures Joy Watson 8 Let’s Play Outside! An Argument for Working Outside the State Shireen Hassim 9 n Conversation Gender Policy in South Africa Claire Mathonsi and Christi van der Westhuizen 12 n Women in Kenya’s Political Leadership: The Struggle for Participation in Governance through Affirmative Action Maria Nzomo 16 n Feminism and Elections in Kenya: Obstacles and Strategies Lyn Ossome 22 Heinrich Böll Foundation – Africa The Heinrich Böll Foundation, associated with the German Green Party, is a legally autonomous and intellectually open political foundation. Our foremost task is civic education in Germany and abroad with the aim of promoting informed democratic opinion, socio-political commitment and mutual understanding. In addition the Heinrich Böll Foundation supports artistic and cultural as well as scholarly projects, and co-operation in the development field. The political values of ecology, democracy, gender democracy, solidarity and non- violence are our chief points of reference. Heinrich Böll’s belief in and promotion of citizen participation in politics is the model for the foundation’s work. Our programme areas in Africa are: n Democracy n Sustainable Development n Human Rights n International Politics 2 Heinrich Böll Stiftung Editorial ver the last five decades, successive African vibrant and innovative women’s movements across the governments have promised their citizens continent have been central to realising these changes.
    [Show full text]
  • The Kenya Referendum on the Constitution
    CMIWORKINGPAPER Of Oranges and Bananas: The 2005 Kenya Referendum on the Constitution Bård Anders Andreassen Arne Tostensen WP 2006: 13 Of Oranges and Bananas: The 2005 Kenya Referendum of the Constitution Bård Anders Andreassen Arne Tostensen WP 2006: 13 CMI Working Papers This series can be ordered from: Chr. Michelsen Institute P.O. Box 6033 Postterminalen, N-5892 Bergen, Norway Tel: + 47 55 57 40 00 Fax: + 47 55 57 41 66 E-mail: cmi@cmi.no www.cmi.no Price: NOK 50 ISSN 0805-505X ISBN 82-8062-159-8 This report is also available at: www.cmi.no/publications Indexing terms Constitutions Referendum Kenya Project title Kenya referendum observation 2005 Project number 25171 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. v INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND.....................................................................................................1 THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM MOVEMENT.................................................................................................... 1 REFERENDUM PREPARATIONS ............................................................................................................... 3 POLLING AND COUNTING ......................................................................................................................... 4 OUTCOME AND AFTERMATH................................................................................................................... 5 iii iv CMI WORKING PAPER OF ORANGES
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Country Review
    Kenya 2016 Country Review http://www.countrywatch.com Table of Contents Chapter 1 1 Country Overview 1 Country Overview 2 Key Data 5 Kenya 6 Africa 7 Chapter 2 9 Political Overview 9 History 10 Political Conditions 12 Political Risk Index 51 Political Stability 65 Freedom Rankings 80 Human Rights 92 Government Functions 95 Government Structure 97 Principal Government Officials 103 Leader Biography 104 Leader Biography 105 Foreign Relations 110 National Security 130 Defense Forces 137 Chapter 3 139 Economic Overview 139 Economic Overview 140 Nominal GDP and Components 142 Population and GDP Per Capita 144 Real GDP and Inflation 145 Government Spending and Taxation 146 Money Supply, Interest Rates and Unemployment 147 Foreign Trade and the Exchange Rate 148 Data in US Dollars 149 Energy Consumption and Production Standard Units 150 Energy Consumption and Production QUADS 152 World Energy Price Summary 153 CO2 Emissions 154 Agriculture Consumption and Production 155 World Agriculture Pricing Summary 158 Metals Consumption and Production 159 World Metals Pricing Summary 162 Economic Performance Index 163 Chapter 4 175 Investment Overview 175 Foreign Investment Climate 176 Foreign Investment Index 181 Corruption Perceptions Index 194 Competitiveness Ranking 206 Taxation 215 Stock Market 216 Partner Links 216 Chapter 5 217 Social Overview 217 People 218 Human Development Index 221 Life Satisfaction Index 224 Happy Planet Index 235 Status of Women 245 Global Gender Gap Index 247 Culture and Arts 257 Etiquette 257 Travel Information 258 Diseases/Health Data 268 Chapter 6 274 Environmental Overview 274 Environmental Issues 275 Environmental Policy 276 Greenhouse Gas Ranking 277 Global Environmental Snapshot 288 Global Environmental Concepts 300 International Environmental Agreements and Associations 314 Appendices 338 Bibliography 339 Kenya Chapter 1 Country Overview Kenya Review 2016 Page 1 of 351 pages Kenya Country Overview KENYA Kenya is situated in Eastern Africa bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.
    [Show full text]
  • Stories of Courage and Transformation from Women Political Leaders in Kenya 7 Copyright © UNWOMEN, 2019
    50 J URNEYS Stories of courage and transformation from women political leaders in Kenya 1 2 3 4 5 6 50 J URNEYS Stories of courage and transformation from women political leaders in Kenya 7 Copyright © UNWOMEN, 2019 Design and layout by Footprints Press Limited P.O. Box 1516-00621 Nairobi, Kenya Printed by Colourprint Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No part or images in this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. UNWOMEN KENYA COUNTRY OFFICE First Printing: 2019 ISBN: 978-9966-022-30-1 8 9 14 Foreword by Zebib Kavuma PART 1 20 Background 26 Introduction PART 2 three GOVERNORS make history 34 Anne Waiguru 36 Charity Ngilu 38 Joyce Laboso three SENATORS make history 42 Fatuma Dhullo 44 Margaret Kamar 46 Susan Kihika WOMEN TRANSFORMING NATIONAL POLITICS 50 Alice Wahome 52 Agnes Zani 54 Beatrice Elachi 56 Cecily Mbarire 58 Godliver Omondi 10 60 Janet Ongera 104 Fatuma Ibrahim 62 Linah Kilimo 106 Florence Kosgey 64 Martha Karua 108 Florence Mutua 66 Millie Odhiambo 110 Gladys
    [Show full text]
  • The Invisible Women: Gender and the Kenyan Press by Diana Gee
    The Invisible Women: Gender and the Kenyan press by Diana Gee-Silverman, B.A. (Hons.) A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Journalism School of Journalism and Communication Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario September 14, 2005 © copyright 2005, Diana Gee-Silverman Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Library and Bibliotheque et 1*1 Archives Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 0-494-10126-1 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 0-494-10126-1 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives and Archives Canada to reproduce,Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve,sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet,distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans loan, distribute and sell theses le monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, worldwide, for commercial or non­ sur support microforme, papier, electronique commercial purposes, in microform,et/ou autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. this thesis. Neither the thesis Ni la these ni des extraits substantiels de nor substantial extracts from it celle-ci ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement may be printed or otherwise reproduits sans son autorisation.
    [Show full text]