Mobilizing against Homophobic Legislation in Uganda

Uganda’s proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill is generating outrage among African human rights advocates. A strong argument comes from Solome Nakaweesi-Kimbugwe, Executive Director of Akina Mama wa Afrika and author of a chapter in JASS’ collection Women Navigate Power. Calling the Bill “an alarmingly retrogressive piece of legislation, aimed at legalising hatred against a section of the Ugandan citizenry,” Nakaweesi-Kimbugwe points out the dangers to all civil liberties, highlights the “value” of this debate as a pre-election distraction from urgent national priorities, and names some of the rightwing American Christian organizations funding this homophobic agenda.

Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate (1997) Visits Atenco

Furthering our solidarity with the people of Atenco over the past two years, JASS, the Nobel Women’s Initiative, and Mexican allies brought Laureate Jody Williams to San Salvador Atenco on September 8 to support women struggling for voice and land rights, and to pressure the Mexican government to halt repression and fulfill its promises. Jody Williams speaks from the frontlines.


The women -- I don't even know what to say. Strong, defiant, so sad because of the 12 political prisoners. They called me from prison. They sent me a letter. Here is one paragraph:

"Al enterarnos de su presencia y participacion en Atenco hemos querido aprovechar esta oportunidad para pedirle a Usted que nos ayude en la medida de sus posibilidades para que sea nuestra voz que grite, anuncie y denuncie la injusticia que han hecho con nosotros el gobierno mexicano mediante la represion y tortura de la que fuimos objeto los dias 3 y 4 de mayo en Texcoco y Atenco....."

["When we heard about your presence and participation in this meeting in Atenco, we wanted to take this opportunity to ask you to help us, in as much as you can, so that our voices can be heard, loudly and clearly announcing and denouncing the injustices of the Mexican government, through the repression and torture that we were subjected to the 3rd and 4th of May in Texcoco and Atenco...."]

Then they called again in the public event and one of the women held the microphone to the cellphone and we (mostly) could hear. Two women standing behind me with their machetes started silently crying. Mothers of two of the prisoners. I had to get up and hug one and she started sobbing on my shoulder. It leaves me like a limp dishrag.

It fills me with rage. Disposable people. As one described herself/them, "We are cannon fodder."

Separately Rachel and I spoke with three of the women who had been raped. More rage.

I bought one of the amazing drawings by the political prisoner who is now sentenced to 112 years in prison. Dona Trini's husband. Sorry his name escapes me.

I can't write more at the moment. The dishrag is emotionally spent.

Su companera en la lucha,
Jody

Pens and Presentations Down

A session that was supposed to be about experiences of hate crimes, and remembering people we have lost at the hand of homophobia ended up into something else. The session started so well, we had panelists who did presentations and expressions from different organisations, but same people that we always see in these meetings and panels. I loved what Chan from Zambia, if not mistaken said, who he identifies as a transmen. He feels that there is no unity within the feminist movement. A lot of people identified with her.

Two Palistinine women expressed their views on what they think about homosexuality in which a lot of people felt uncomfortable hearing such expressions and called them homophobic, especially in AWID. Isn't that interesting? But what we need to realise is that, they have their own different background, and to quickly judge and crush is really not a strategic move, especially when we are in one struggle for change.

Like I said, what was suppose to be a session about hate crimes and experiences ended up into an emotional session where people expressed their anger and hurt by organisations. These are some of the quote:
We attend matches, risk our lives on TV and papers for change, we write about our sad stories on books during the 16 days of activism, we attend the same meetings that are facilitated by the same people, the terminologies are beyond our understanding, and there is never a follow up. Follow up, is it important?

After our brave efforts on TV and papers, we are never called the next day just to check how we travelled home and if we are safe or not. The same people in the townships that victims us sexually maybe, pose treads, we speak about these issues to the same orgs that we make efforts for in solidarity but there has never been a change to protect us. No empowerment for those who need it, those who risk their lives to advocate for change, but we are in solidarity.

Some felt the need to go corporate because the movement is not inclusive of other marginalised people, doesn't recognise the need to empower when necessary. In South Africa, black lesbians have taken a brave stand to speak out as an effort to change and be part of but it is not in reality, it is an ambition I say. We have never seen a young, black lesbian in any of these panels, representing other young voices in our language unlike the number you see in the street, outside the courts.

A lot of people, particularly black lesbian feels that they are important during the 16 days of activism and matches but never in these spaces.

Others felt that they are not feminst and in fact the movement on its own is divided. There is no unity.

As a young, black feminist with a lesbian identity, I share the same sentiment with those who expressed how they felt. It is painful, it is tiring. Some even gate crashed the meeting just to be in the space and express these issues.

Are we really in solidarity? Is empowerment important and for who? We are represented, wow, great effort but is it how we would want our voices to be painted?

-Keba, South Africa

JASS and Las Petateras at the Americas Social Forum

"Las Petateras," JASS's movement building allies in Mesoamerica, convened a press conference this morning to kick-off the activities planned during the Americas Social Forum, as well as to announce the declaration made by the Nobel Women's Initiative denouncing the violence, hostility and public smear campaign being conducted by Daniel Ortega's government in Nicaragua against outspoken feminist activists and leaders.

Emely Flores, from El Salvador, spoke about the similar acts of violence and impunity exercised against women's organizations in her country. Patricia Orozco, from the Autonomous Women's Movement in Nicaragua, which has received the brunt of government-led attacks and repression, spoke passionately about the strong anti-feminist behavior practiced by the Nicaraguan government, and how women will never give up the struggle for equality and justice, no matter how difficult the situation becomes. Marusia Lopez Cruz announced the declaration written by the Nobel women in solidarity with the feminists in Nicaragua. The statement declared, among other things, that "the Nicaraguan government is intimidating the people and organizations that fight for the defense of human rights. We encourage the Nicaraguan government to stop its repression against the Autonomous Women's Movement and other activists. In particular, we express our solidarity with Nicaraguan feminists who find themselves attacked unjustly for their continued defense of reproductive rights and basic freedoms ... Another world is possible. And that world includes women's full equality and freedom from violence. We urge all those who have come together in the name of justice and peace to stand firm that women's rights and equality is at the heart of our dreams, and actions, for a better world." (read the entire declaration)

Liduvina Mendez Garcia went on to present the actions and activities the Petateras are involved in during the week-long Social Forum, including several workshops and panels, and the 5th "Observatorio de la Transgresion Feminista" or "Women Crossing the Line," where, along with Radio Feminista, women's voices, actions, and denouncements will be captured and amplified for the world to listen. Our voices will be heard.

The opening ceremony of the III Americas Social Forum began with a rousing action by our sisters in El Salvador. Las Petateras and other members of the JASS delegation joined in as they took over the space, wearing white sheets and with white face paint, chanting "Nosotras parimos, nosotras decidimos," or "We give birth, we decide!" along with the crowd favorite "Sacan sus rosarios, de nuestras ovarios," or "Take your rosaries out of our ovaries!"

The JASS delegation to the forum includes activists from MesoAmerica and the United States.

Read more at www.justassociates.org www.petateras.org and www.radiofeminista.net

Thank you to FIRE for the images.

From the Global Village and Opening Ceremony, AIDS 2008

I'm sharing this space with my friend and sister activist, Sindi Blose, from Treatment Action Campaign in South Africa. She won't mention the fact that she did an extraordinary job of rocking the Global Village this afternoon with the rest of our women crossing the line. The songs and dancing drew dozens of men and women to our cramped site with huge enthusiasm and nothing but joy and appreciation for the power of their very personal stories of struggle.


Hi everybody, I'm Sindi in Mexico having the time of my life so far. Today I attended the session on women and girls with a speech by Stephen Lewis. I was happy to finally be in the same room with him. We need many male leadership in Africa to view women as he does the world would be such a safer space for women to realize their full potential because there would be no discrimination against women on so many issues and platforms.

I'm part of a group of eight women from Southern Africa who planned a session on us being African women telling our own stories at the Women's Networking Zone in the Global Village today. When we got to the women's networking zone I was disappointed by the fact that we were 80% of our audience and there was a loud musical band distracting us so I thought that we won't be able to share our digital stories with anyone what a waste of time. we decided to sing African songs really loud, that speak about power and unity to fight against injustice on women. Then people started coming in numbers to hear what we have to say.

There are about 13 digital stories but we decided to only present three. First by Patience from Zimbabwe how she views her self as a women who is lesbian and how society discriminates and marginalizes her, second by Esther from Namibia her story about how she was robbed of her motherhood by her government health department when they decided to sterilize her without consent because she is HIV positive. Third story by Wala and post-natal depression how the public health system in her country fail women like her who suffer from post-natal depression

At least 70 people listened to our stories and felt the world is failing African women every single day, but most people were happy there we were there to tell our own stories in our own way.

The experience was empowering for me. It was my first time facilitating at an international AIDS conference. I am more than ready now to attend the rest of the conference and engage critically on issues relating to women especially in Africa.




Lisa again: the most powerful responses to Sindi and the other women came from a Mexican transgender who told me "i can feel the power with these women. I only want to sit here and listen to them all day."   Two African men committed their solidarity -- saying that they would do whatever they could to fight "this oppression of their African sisters."

In closing, the official inauguration at the National Auditorium in downtown Mexico City. An all star cast included the President of Mexico, the UN Secretary General, the VP of Spain and 4 other important and powerful AIDS leaders, yet it was an HIV+ 13 year old girl from Honduras who's shaking voice and personal plea stole the show and had the place cheering with a standing ovation. Honorable mention goes to the amazing mariachi band and the gorgeous and talented Folkloric Ballet.