Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women's Rights
UGANDA RATIFIES MAPUTO PROTOCOL
Years of lobbying and advocacy have finally yielded the very much needed and
deserved fruits for women's rights activists in Uganda, women in Africa and
beyond. TODAY - 22nd JULY 2010 - Uganda has become the 28th Country to
ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on
the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). Uganda deposited her
instruments with the African Union this morning. This is an early milestone
in the 2010-2020 African Women's Decade - a cause for celebration, an
excellent way to start the decade.
EASSI would like to congratulate all the women who have been behind the
scenes, calling on the government of Uganda to ratify this instrument
including the Steering Committee members of the Uganda Coalition for African
Women's Rights - which comprises gender and women's rights Civil Society
Organisations in Uganda including EASSI. We don't forget Coalition members
of the Solidarity for African Women's Rights (SOAWR) who have been with the
Women of Uganda all the way from the start. Akina Mama wa Afrika playing the
lead role in the walk has been so instrumental in the entire process.
EASSI is committed to the advancement of gender equality , social justice,
peace and development in the Eastern African Sub-region and one of the
instruments that frames our work is the Maputo Protocol that Uganda just
ratified.
As we pat ourselves on the back, NOW is the time for Ugandan Women to unite
even further and stronger in the call for domestication and implementation
of this instrument. Once the two have been achieved, the celebration will be
even bigger.
Enjoy the AU Summit.
Kind regards,
Sylvia Namale
EASSI
Author Information
Re: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for these good news! I am hopeful that Uganda's move will serve as a harbinger for the rest of East African countries to follow suit.
By the way, from hearsay I heard that Uganda's ratification came with reservations. Is that so? if it is true do you have an idea on which provisions did Uganda make reservations? This is very interesting information because in Kenya efforts to make the government ratify the various International and regional optional protocols including the Maputo one is under way.
Agnes
AgnesKabajuni| Women and Housing Rights Programme Officer for Africa
Centre on Housing Rights & Evictions(COHRE) | NewRehema house, Raphta Road, Westlands 3008 00100 (GPO)Nairobi, Kenya| Tel: +254 20 4442120 | agnes [at] cohre [dot] org | www.cohre.org/women
--- On Thu, 22/7/10, Sylvia Namale wrote:
From: Sylvia Namale
Subject: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women's Rights
To: kabajuni_agnes [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk
Date: Thursday, 22 July, 2010, 13:21
RE: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women
Dear Agnes,
Yes, it is true that the protocol was ratified with reservations on articles 14 1a and 2c
Kind regards,
Sylvia
From: Agnes Kabajuni [mailto:kabajuni_agnes [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk]
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 11:24 AM
To: sylvia [at] eassi [dot] org
Subject: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women's Rights
Re: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women
Dear Sylvia,
Thanks for the information. I am sure this trend will be useful example to other countries opposed to abortion clauses. The only problem is countries making many reservation. Was this a negotiated process?
Either way It is very important for Uganda. At least now women can make use of the African Commission and the services of the special rapporteur on women rights in Africa in regard to her mandate on the Maputo protocol
Agnes
AgnesKabajuni| Women and Housing Rights Programme Officer for Africa
Centre on Housing Rights & Evictions(COHRE) | NewRehema house, Raphta Road, Westlands 3008 00100 (GPO)Nairobi, Kenya| Tel: +254 20 4442120 | agnes [at] cohre [dot] org | www.cohre.org/women
--- On Fri, 23/7/10, Sylvia Namale wrote:
From: Sylvia Namale
Subject: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women's Rights
To: kabajuni_agnes [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk
Date: Friday, 23 July, 2010, 15:40
RE: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women
Dear Agnes,
Thank you for writing.
The issue of reservations was a negotiated process.
We hope that in future, the reservations will be no more, given that things keep changing every day/month/year in the women's world.
Kind regards,
Sylvia
From: Agnes Kabajuni [mailto:kabajuni_agnes [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk]
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 1:28 PM
To: sylvia [at] eassi [dot] org
Subject: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women's Rights
Re: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women
Dear Sylivia,
Thx for the update on women's acheivements at the AU summit. This is to let you
know that the attachment on the message doesnot open. wonder whether there is a
technical error.
Kind regards,
Susan Bakesha
Programme Manager
Development Alternatives (DELTA)
Head, GRACE-Africa Secretariat(www.grace-network.net)
Plot 40 Bombo Road,
Carol House, First Floor, Room 13
P.O.Box 25561 Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 0414 236 943
Mob: +256 0772 377 088
Email: sbakesha [at] yahoo [dot] com/sbakesha [at] delta [dot] co [dot] ug
Re: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women
I am grateful to all those who have pushed for Maputo Protocal ratification in
our country!
________________________________
From: Sylvia Namale
To: florakebi [at] yahoo [dot] com
Sent: Thu, July 22, 2010 1:24:04 PM
Subject: [wougnet-l] Uganda Ratifies the AU Protocol on African Women's Rights