Welcome to Dancing to the Tunes of Democracy: Ugandan Women Set to Define Partisan Politics… “If the democracy dancing space were open and correct tune were played, I would dance but, my hands and legs are tied so I can’t dance in a way that enables me to ensure that my voice is heard, my issues are addressed and I am heard as a woman…So, when next the democracy drums sound, I need to determine the tune, the rhythm, the song, the dancers, the singers and who I dance with….. I shall dance for me, my sisters, my daughters, my female ancestors and for the fellow Ugandan Women…and I shall determine the tune… I shall be the Leader of the Dance Troupe… This was the highlight of the 3rd Women in Political Party Structures Training organized by Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) under the Theme: “Dancing to the Tunes of Democracy: Preparing for Effective Engagement in Politics”, held in Kampala, Uganda. The opening of this exciting 3-day convening organized by FOWODE in partnership with UNDP raised a lot of interest among participants. It is aimed at building capacity among Ugandan women in politics, with an emphasis on improving skills in lobbying and advocacy by bringing together thirty women leaders in the six major political parties (National Resistance Movement, Forum for Democratic Change, Democratic Party, Conservative Party, JEEMA and Uganda People’s Congress) Key speakers, who included Hon. Benigna Mukiibi (former legislator 6th Parliament and FOWODE board member), Patricia Munabi-Babiiha (FOWODE Executive Director) and Sam Ibanda (Assistant Resident Representative UNDP) all appreciated the role of political parties in involving women in their structures. However, they observed that Women’s organizations, civil society actors, the media and other development actors still have a lot of gaps to deal with. It was noted with concern that political parties are inherently weak and have fallen short of their promises, leaving women to bear the brunt of this dysfunction. Also, despite the increased numbers, it is vital to have improved quality; effectiveness and efficiency of women in leadership; creating open and women friendly in-party spaces so as to effectively carry out their roles and increased accountability within political parties to the commitments to women in light of the ‘Paper Commitments’ that need to be translated into practice. “The next three days will redefine the dance tune…. in the form of our engagement and efficiency as women in political party structures; effective lobbying, campaigning and advocacy as well as increasing the space for engagement within the party and across parties… As women we must now interrogate who is playing the tune to whom; who is dancing; whether it’s the correct tune being played and how Women’s leadership can be transformative so as to create an alternative voice to democracy and good governance in Uganda…” Patricia Munabi-Babiiha, Executive Director, FOWODE Moving forward, effective dancing and control of the dance tune requires a number of progressive strategies that bring power back to women, reclaiming their space. Nevertheless, it does not matter which party one belongs to-there should be networking between parties so that the status of all citizens, particularly women, is uplifted. It is time women told the players to stop playing the wrong tune and bring in one appropriate to them. Although many thought that policy makers were the “players”, it was also suggested that voters may actually be the ones playing the tune, thus the need for increased civic education.
For more information please contact Patricia Munabi-Bahiiha, patricia.munabi@fowode.org / fowode@fowode.org; Forum for Women in Democracy