Who are we? What do we mean by femininity and masculinity? How do we come to be female and male?

In commemoration of the International Women’s Makerere University School of Women and Gender Studies with support from the Embassy of Sweden organized a Gender Identity Week to celebrate women’s empowerment in Uganda and globally under the theme: Transformations for Empowerment of rural and Girls: Opportunities and Challenges. The celebrations run from 5th – 10th March 2018.

The Week had different sub themes including; Women’s Achievements, Opportunities and Challenges (2000—2017), Positive Masculinities, Social Economic Transformation, a Write-shop on Women and Representation, Policy Issues on Women’s Rights to Productive Resources and Women and Political Participation. The celebrations took stock of women and girls’ economic, social and political transformations in society and paved a way forward on how to hasten gender equality and women’s empowerment for sustainable development (SDGs) particularly Goal 5 on gender equality.

The Gender Identity Week comprised several activities including a march around the university, dialogues, panel discussions, debates, and paper presentations and a one week exhibition under different sub themes on topical issues affecting femininity and masculinity and in turn impacting gender identities. The event featured academics, gender activists, development partners, students, the media and the public.

Some of the participants who participated in the Gender Identity Week 2018

The sessions gathered resourceful speakers including; Dr. Anna Maria Olsson (Sida Program head), Ms. Jane Mpagi (Director for Gender and Community Development MLGSD), Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Ms. Perry Aritua (ED WDN), Prof. Sylvia Tamale, Hon. Alex Ruhunda (MP), Mr. Mubarak Mabuya (SURGE), Mr. Peter Igaga (NTV Men) and Prof. Ben Twinomugisha (School of Law) among others. These discussed and sensitized participants on political, social cultural and economic issues.

Ms. Susanne Spets, the Sweden Deputy Head Mission in Uganda who attended the conference, noted that Sweden through its Feminist Foreign Policy has supported a number of gender based projects in Uganda with an aim of ensuring equality between men and women as well as ensuring that women and girls enjoy human rights, representation and resources. “I am excited to represent the first feminist government in the world. I believe that women and men should have the same power to shape society and their own lives,” She noted.

Ms. Jane Mpagi in her presentation; women’s achievements, opportunities and challenges noted that there was tremendous progress in legal and policy reforms to address women’s issues in Uganda. She noted that the 1995 Uganda Constitution is gender sensitive and accords women full participation in development processes, through politics and decision making processes, owning property and engaging in business. She however decried the inadequate infrastructure and restrictive structures which hinder women’s growth and participation in different spaces.

Ms. Jane Mpagi, MGLSD speaking during the dialogue

One key highlight of the week was the celebration of “Positive Masculinities”. The School celebrated male champions who have disregarded the patriarchal nature of society and taken on the mantle to advocate for women’s rights. A panel of men shared their experiences on how they were promoting women’s empowerment in their spaces. They noted that men were playing a great role in working towards a gender sensitive society. However, more men needed to overlook the cultural stereotypes and take the lead in promoting gender equality. “Men need to take the lead in advocating for positive masculinities and the journey starts now,” noted Mr. Peter Igaga.

Positive Male Champions L - R Hon. Alex Ruhanda (MP), Mr. Mubarak Mabuya (SURGE), Mr. Peter Igaga (NTV Men) and Prof. Ben Twinomugisha (School of Law)sharing their experiences during the dialogue on Positive Masculinities.   

During the dialogue on “Policy Issues on Women’s Rights to Productive Resources” Ms. Perry Aritua, the executive director of Women’s Democracy Network noted that while over 80% of women utilized land for food production, they are denied land ownership. “Government ought to enforce the national land policy in a way that involves women to equally have rights to land like their male counterparts,” advised Ms. Aritua.

Prof. Sylvia Tamale noted that the University led by the Sexual Harassment Board was relentlessly working to eradicate the vice from the prestigious institution and she called upon students to report cases of sexual harassment for redress.

Additionally, a range of pertinent topics ranging from Policy Initiatives and challenges for women and girls' survival in the informal sector, Social economic survival: women in paid and unpaid care work, Women's exploitation in the workplace and Family life in the new economic era were discussed.

Associate Prof. Sarah Ssali, Dean School of Women and Gender studies in her remarks noted that the week highlighted the role played by gender identities in transforming societies and how they played out in empowering women. The activities helped sensitize people on how gender identities influence people’s capabilities in the different spaces they occupy.

Prof. Sarah N. Ssali, Dean School of Women and Gender Studies 

In her remarks, Associate Prof. Consolata Kabonesa, the SIDA Project Coordinator noted that the Gender Identity week was very successful and insightful. She acknowledged the support by the Embassy of Sweden towards a fruitful week and appreciated everyone who took part in the Gender Identity Week.

Associate Prof. Consolata Kabonesa, SIDA Project Coordinator, SWGS

The Gender Identity Week was concluded with an award giving ceremony, where Ms. Nalukenge Clair and Ms. Babirye Angella were awarded by the embassy of Sweden and the School for having the most outstanding pictures in the Ugandan Dads competition, which sought to portray dads’ positive contribution to their families’ nurturing.

Some of the pictures highlighting positive masculinities displayed during the exhibition themed "Positive Dads. 

Compiled by Staff Writer, SWGS