Women’s Day: No progress made yet

What you need to know:

  • When state minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda insinuated that “curvy women” were potential tourist attraction item, the underlying dehumanisation of remarks were lost in the debates for and against it in the media and elsewhere by those who argued for it.

Hours after Women’s Day celebrations in 2018, Bugangaizi East MP Onesmus Twinamatsiko publicly advocated for violence against women, saying men must discipline their wives. They must “beat her to streamline her.” He, however, later apologised for his remarks.
Despite these unlawful and degrading comments, Mr Twinamasiko like many of his ilk, remains unpunished. The same is true for the then State minister for Water Ronald Kibuule, who assaulted a security guard while he was still Youth State minister. He reportedly said “indecently” dressed women deserved to be raped.

Both the men continue to purport to represent the voices of the people in this country. Their fellow legislators have seemingly moved on, and they face no real repercussions. This normalisation of violent utterances and actions can only be interpreted for what it is - lack of political will to end abuse of women in this country. While many will argue that these are just mere words, it is important to remember that the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey reveals that up to 22 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 in the country had experienced some form of sexual violence.

From the Anti-Pornography Act, which continues to police women’s dress code and bodies, the Anti-Pornography Committee, whose mandate is to enforce the law, has made it their mission to target victims of revenge porn as opposed to the perpetrators. The laws in Uganda continue to be weaponised as a tool to police women.

There have been many justifications for the need of laws and policies that ensure decent dress codes and ways that reflect “African and Ugandan culture and values.” This need to dictate a code of morality for women is contradictory when you factor in the fact that there are not enough laws being passed to erase harmful cultural practices that perpetuate harmful stereotypes against women. Progressive laws such as the Marriage and Divorce Bill, which would ensure protection of women before, during and after marriage, continue to gather dust in Parliament.

The reality of the aforementioned is that the laws and their implementation are often biased, focusing on aspects of women that they deem immoral and shameful. The Anti-Pornography Act dubbed the Anti-Mini skirt law, is an illustration of the ways in which the law has been used against women. It has also resulted into policies in different public and private spaces dictating how women should behave, dress and the consequences of that on women’s safety.
When state minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda insinuated that “curvy women” were potential tourist attraction item, the underlying dehumanisation of remarks were lost in the debates for and against it in the media and elsewhere by those who argued for it. Once again, the contest has been allowed to go on with no critical analysis of the ripple effect such a “beauty pageant” has on society.

There is also the case of Brian Isiko who harassed Kabarole Woman MP Sylivia Rwabwogo against her will. He continued to harass the MP until she couldn’t tolerate it any more.
As we celebrate Women’s Day today, may we be reminded that the progress we claim to have made, is a lie?
Patricia Twasiima,
@triciatwasiima