Dear Femme Forte, As we bid farewell to an extraordinary year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the strides we have made together. Femme Forte Uganda stands as a testament to the power of feminist movement building, a beacon of hope for those who dare to dream of a world where equality and equity is not just a distant ideal but a lived reality. This year, 2024, our collective commitment to advancing equality found expression in remarkable ways. From hosting transformative conversations to amplifying the voices of the marginalized, we deepened our roots as a movement that centers justice, care, and systemic change. Through collaborations with partners across various sectors, we challenged norms that uphold inequality, created spaces of healing and growth, and fostered solidarity across communities. These connections remind us that feminism is not an individual pursuit but a collective endeavor that thrives on the strength of our relationships. Our work in 2024 reaffirmed that collaboration is the lifeblood of movement building. Together, we launched groundbreaking initiatives and projects that were bold acts of reclaiming our narratives. We stood united in the fight against femicides, sexual and gender based violence, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, reproductive justice, among others, recognizing that equality in the digital age demands that no one is left behind. We championed leadership transitions and inter generational conversations that honor feminist principles, ensuring that our work reflects not only where we stand today but where we aspire to go tomorrow. These achievements would not have been possible without the relentless dedication of our staff and board. To the Femme Forte Uganda team, thank you for embodying the values we hold dear and for your tireless commitment to driving the feminist agenda forward. Your creativity, resilience, and passion have been the backbone of every success we celebrate today. To our board, thank you for your wisdom, guidance, and belief in the transformative power of Femme Forte’s vision. Together, you have been architects of change, creating pathways for a more inclusive and equitable future. As we step into 2025, let us continue to harness the power of collaboration and movement building to dismantle systems of oppression and co-create a world where equality is not negotiable. Feminist work is work for the long haul and it is deliberate, as it is bold and hopeful. Let us recommit to doing this work with care, compassion, and conviction. To our partners, thank you for standing with us, for dreaming with us, and for walking this journey side by side. To our constituents, your courage inspires us, your stories empower us, and your resilience strengthens us. Femme Forte Uganda exists because of you, and we are honored to serve as stewards of this shared vision. Here’s to 2025, a year of greater strides, deeper connections, and transformative impact. Together, we will continue to rise, to build, and to lead. In gratitude and solidarity, Penelope Sanyu Chief Steward Femme Forte Uganda
Today, is an unbelievable day. Many of us are dealing with shock , others have so many unanswered questions, others heavy hearts, guilt, shame, gratitude, respect, a whole mix of emotions. In all, we are here to acknowledge that life is fleeting and we must embrace our journeys with grace and love. Our hearts are heavy with the weight of sorrow and our spirits are downcast! But; We gather to celebrate the life of a man who was much more than just a colleague or friend. Norbert Ndawula, joined Femme Forte Uganda in November 2018 and left in May 2020. Though he is departed from this earthly life, he has left behind an indelible legacy woven into the very fabric of our community and our memories. Norbert was not only a storyteller by title but also by spirit. Did you ever hear this man laugh? His laughter told so many stories hidden within. He carried within him a rare gift—the ability to live and capture life in its purest form, to see beyond the ordinary, and to draw out the extraordinary from every story he encountered. With words and warmth, he transformed the lives of those who listened. He taught us to see with our hearts and to listen with compassion, bringing to life the hopes, dreams, and resilience of Femme Forte and those who make it what it is. His words lifted spirits, soothed pain, and reminded us all of our shared humanity. In every story Norbert was a part of, there was always laughter, a message of hope, a spark of joy, or a profound reminder of our strength. His years with Femme Forte were marked by unbridled dedication, boundless creativity, and an unwavering belief in the power of storytelling to heal and to connect us. For Norbert, storytelling was never just about narrating events—it was about connecting with people, giving voice to the unheard, and championing causes close to his heart. Today, we mourn not only for his passing but for the stories left untold, the words unspoken, and the many hearts left yearning for his gentle and warm guidance. Yet, even as we grieve, we find comfort in knowing that his spirit lives on in every story he encountered, in the memories he gifted us, and in the lives he touched. Norbert has become a part of our shared history, a cherished chapter in the Femme Forte story. To his family, especially to mummy, Sandra, Pesh and Zoe we extend our deepest sympathies. Thank you for sharing Norbert with us, for allowing him to be a light in our lives and our work. We hope you find solace in knowing that he was—and will always be—immensely cherished, respected, and loved by so many. To Zoe, we have so many stories to share because we first heard about your conception and then told stories all through to your birth, your daddy was a great man, may you always remember him thus! As we prepare to lay our friend and colleague Norbert to rest in his ancestral home, let us not say goodbye but instead carry forward the lessons he left us. Let us honor his legacy by being storytellers of the spirit of laughter, hope, love, and resilience in our own ways. Rest in peace, Norbert Ndawula. Your stories will forever remain with us, and your light will never fade. On Behalf of the Femme Forte Community, Thank you.
“Someone will ask, ‘Will it pay?’ If it will, one will steal. If it won’t pay, one won’t steal. It should be too expensive to steal. This is why corruption is happening on a grand scale. They must steal enough to stay out of jail.” - Auditor General John Muwanga, May 31, 2013 The catalyst for the current #March2Parliament protests is a series of high-profile corruption scandals that have exposed the misuse of public funds by top government officials; the most egregious allegations involving the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among. The Speaker and a number of her staff are accused of breaching parliamentary rules by using private bank accounts to withdraw enormous amounts of money between April 2023 and January 2024, supposedly for Among’s official work including outreach, community projects, and expenses. Journalists also allege that Among oversaw the distribution of more than Shs1.7 billion in 2022 as “service awards” for parliamentary commissioners, who oversee spending and salaries in Parliament. (Wepukhulu, 2024) The #March2Parliament protests have articulated seven demands: the resignation of Anita Among as Speaker of Parliament, reduction in the number of MPs, immediate resignation of implicated MPs pending investigations into corruption allegations, comprehensive lifestyle audits of MPs with public disclosure, reduction of MPs' salaries and allowances to 3 million, and unrestricted exercise of Ugandans' democratic right to peaceful assembly without obstruction.
The menstrual cycle is an important part of many people’s lives. Despite this, misinformation, silence and shame abound around the topic. For menstrual hygiene day, I set out to write an article strictly about how you can use food to optimize your wellbeing during your period but I ended getting a lot more than that from my interview with Gilbert Nsanzimfura, a nutritionist with TMR International Hospital. He shared in detail about the 4 stages of the menstrual cycle, how you may feel, what you can eat and what you should avoid to get through each like a champ. Enjoy! Nutrition takes place for the entirety of mankind’s life, but for this article we are going to focus on nutrition for women of reproductive age. The menstrual cycle has 4 phases: Menstruation phase , Follicular phase , Luteal phase and Ovulation . Follicular phase: This is the phase between the first day after blood flow has stopped up to about the 13 th -14 th day when ovulation normally occurs. This stage involves a follicle stimulating hormone which facilitates the growth of follicles. These follicles will harbor a mature egg during the ovulation phase. Ovulation phase: This is where a mature egg (ovum) is released from the fallopian tubes. This is the shortest phase of the cycle, it can last up to 24 hours. This is called the excitement phase of the entire menstruation cycle. Luteal phase: It normally collides with menstruation and sometimes they are even confused to be the same phase. In the Luteal phase, the body is getting ready to start mothering an embryo; the egg is already released into the uterus for fertilization. This stage involves multiple hormones at the same time, including progesterone and oestrogen. These two hormones are very stubborn in that their reactions are very rapid. They both, each at a time, support the thickening of the uterine walls. This stage lasts about 10 to 15 days, from your ovulation day to the day you experience your first drop of blood flowing through the vagina if fertilization does not take place. Menstruation: This is normally the most distressing phase of the entire cycle. It lasts about 3-7 days although some might experience it for up to 10 days. Some women have them heavy, others light, others painful and others very painful. NUTRITION AND THE MENSTRUATION CYCLE First there are foods that need to be taken throughout each of these phases. These are foods you cannot do without, the first being Vitamins and minerals. The body cannot manufacture them on its own. The good news is that the body does not need a lot, this is why they are called micronutrients. Others are proteins, carbohydrates for energy and lipids. NUTRITION DURING THE FOLLICULAR PHASE At this point, your body has gone through changes. −You have lost blood, iron and minerals −Dizziness may be felt −You may feel weak Here it’s like building a house from ruins. You need to take all the food stuffs but mainly you need to replace the lost iron, the lost calcium and the lost magnesium. Foods to eat
Last week, we bid farewell and celebrated the incredible journey of our beloved storyteller, Ms. Patience Ahumuza, who is embarking on a new chapter in her life. While the news of her departure may hit you like a sudden gust of wind, leaving you bewildered and saddened, you will also be comforted to know that her departure is a feminist act of resistance - to REST and RECHARGE! Goodbyes are never easy, but we are extremely grateful to have crossed paths and worked with someone as remarkable as Patience. Her work has left an indelible mark on Femme Forte, and we will cherish the memories we've created together forever. Throughout her tenure, Patience has been the driving force behind our organization's voice on all socials, tirelessly advocating for gender equity and empowering voices that often go unheard. From amplifying marginalized voices to spearheading impactful campaigns, creating networks and bonds, teaching and growing with us, she has been instrumental in shaping Femme Forte's message outlook and impact. Besides being our storyteller, Patience also actively participated in programming, fundraising, and administration among other roles. Her leadership, empathy, and fierce determination have inspired us to push boundaries, challenge norms, and strive for a more just and equitable world. Her dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to feminist values have left an indelible mark on our community and beyond. As Patience takes a break to reflect on her career direction, we honor and celebrate her courage to first of all acknowledge the need to take a break - rest is truly resistance, the courage to pursue her passions and dreams unapologetically and the love for work she does to serve and love women. While her absence will be felt deeply within our team, we stand behind her decision to prioritize her own health, growth and general well-being. We have no doubt that Patience will continue to make waves wherever her journey takes her in the feminist spaces. Her impact extends far beyond the confines of our organization, and we eagerly await the incredible contributions she will undoubtedly make in the future. As we bid her farewell, we express our deepest gratitude for the tireless dedication, unwavering passion, and invaluable contributions. While her physical presence will be missed, her legacy will continue to inspire us in our ongoing pursuit of equality and justice. Patience, as you embark on this new chapter, know that you take with you the love, admiration, and endless support of your colleagues and feminist community. May your journey be filled with joy, fulfillment, and boundless opportunities. With heartfelt appreciation and warm wishes, Femme Forte Uganda.
On 11th February 2022, I had a phone conversation with a young excited voice on the other side of the line, this voice, too curious and so eager to meet was asking to volunteer with Femme Forte Uganda. We were going through a transition around that time so I asked her to represent us at a meeting with one of our main partners ( knowing full well she was going to be frustrated and not want to return ) Alas! This was the beginning of what would be a long and beautiful learning journey for us both. Long story short, Ms. Norah joined the team as a volunteer and continued to grow through the ranks to this day. It's with mixed emotions that I bid farewell to Ms. Norah, a shining star in our feminist constellation for the past two years. As she embarks on an exciting journey of pursuing further studies, we raise a collective glass to her remarkable contributions and unwavering commitment to our cause. Norah joined us not just as an employee, but as a young, passionate advocate, a strategic thinker, and a ball of inspiration. Her dedication to our mission was evident in everything she did, from spearheading impactful campaigns to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for our team.
Dear friends of Femme Forte, we are thrilled to share the August/September newsletter, take the sweet trouble and fix your tight schedules to get familiar with our last two month’s activities. This write-up comes with feminine fondness and friendliness, please scroll relentlessly and get edified with our August endeavours.
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is any sexual act that is perpetrated against a person’s will. In Africa and Uganda in particular, it’s based on gendered norms, cultures, and unequal power relationships all being results of the patriarchal power structure in societies and individual relationships. It includes physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual violence and denial of ownership of resources or access to services. Violence consists of threats and coercion. SGBV inflicts harm on women, girls, men, and boys and is a severe violation of several human rights. Victims of SGBV in Uganda confront a political economy that undermines their access to justice, even as the rights agenda works to develop and implement laws, policies and interventions that promote gender equality and balance. This notion provides insights into the daily struggles of women who have fallen victim to the structural patriarchy that is engrained in Ugandan society. The acts of fighting sexual and gender-based violence in Uganda have become futile without the involvement of Mental Health, one cannot address social, economic, political injustice, discrimination, unfairness, oppression, abuse, and stereotypes without bringing in the context of Mental health which is sensitive to both men and women. Sexual and gender-based violence is one of the hard realities that women in Uganda are facing, this is mostly because of a lack of power and authority due to the patriarchy we are born in. This has culminated into limited access to assets and no social networks to be sure of belonging, gender inequalities, conflict, power imbalance, insufficient food at home and alcoholism, and lack of assertiveness for those who fled their countries due to war (refugees), as a result, they are prone and all vulnerable, as we can all imagine, there is not much a refugee woman can do to keep herself occupied or safe and the inadequate or limited operation of the rescue organizations also put them at a vulnerable position where they can easily be abused or taken advantage of, these organizations fail to keep up or provide appropriate help usually due to increasing numbers of refugees coming into the refugee camps], hence increasing the rate of SGBV and creates a big setback in the acquisition of women empowerment and sustainable development in general. SGBV denies women and girls [men too] the security and freedom to explore their full potential. As long as women and girls are not given a chance to explore their full potential and build up individually, they are forced to settle for less than they could have if they had the freedom and security to do it. Very little is being said about the impact of SGBV on the mental health of the survivors and very little is being done to find out the extent of SGBV on the mental health of its survivors. SGBV has serious consequences on the psychological health of the survivors and their families, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), shock, memory loss, sexual dysfunction, and suicide are some of the psychological effects of SGBV on the survivors and their families. According to research, one-third of all cases of suicide among women, and 60% of all female murder victims are linked to sexual and gender-based violence. Different forms of SGBV also leave a deep emotional scar on many of the survivors. Research conducted by Advocate for Humans Rights revealed that hopelessness, loss of control, anger, suicide, behavior disorders, and eating disorder are some consequences of Sexual and Gender-Based violence. The most common types of SGBV prevailing in Uganda (especially, in the refugee camps) include; rape, female genital Mutilation, forced marriage, wife inheritance, wife battering, defilement, forced prostitution, and incest, and all of these practices are fueled by families that use their daughters as a source of money or resources to survive, young girls in child marriage and forced marriage to be able to get money from the men, law institutions also aid these acts by not seriously taking these cases of abuse into account and punishing the perpetrators, it is purported that when one reports the case to the police, they have to pay an amount between ugx5000-ugx50000 to the police as facilitation fees to officers to arrest the oppressor. With this, few women report these cases of abuse to the authorities considering the financial hurdles in their daily lives. The community also fuels these evil acts of Sexual and gender-based violence by blaming the women and cruising their dressing as the reason for their abuse. If a girl or woman was raped yet she was dressed in a trouser earlier, community members blame her and call her dress code indecent and hence the man goes free. In some communities, women believe that being beaten by their husbands is a sign of love, such beliefs have encouraged SGBV and some of such women have even lost their lives. All that has been shared above have resulted in Post-traumatic stress disorders, anxiety, depression, loss of self-esteem, suicide, sexual dysfunction, and behavioral disorder. Aside from the community, law institutions, families, women, and young girls have little understanding of sexual and gender-based violence and its effect on their mental health. The general public’s understanding of SGBV is limited, men are isolated from discussions on ending SGBV yet they are the main offenders, and the information on which actor should end the vice has not percolated deep to some parties. While men are cited severally to be perpetrators, they too can be fighters of SGBV if sensitization had them in a plan (s). As an extra factor, there is a scarcity of information on SGBV and Mental health. Poverty is yet another reason why SGBV is prevailing because women are following men for bare necessities such as sanitary pads, soap, and lotion and have ended up being abused by these men, they cannot even report it because they will be blamed for it. There is an unmet need for SGBV and mental health services in West Nile resulting in high numbers of women struggling with mental disorders. Several organizations fighting for women’s rights and health could be motivated to take on the task to sensitize the women in these communities about SGBV and its effect on their mental health, the laws that protect them from SGBV, and where they can seek help in case they are abused, and also refer them to where they can get services and some organizations can even decide to provide these services to these survivors of SGBV and their families. Though men and women suffer SGBV, the magnitude of women victims cannot easily be juxtaposed to that of men. There is a need for all concerned to be vigilant, implement policies and handle this conundrum with compassion if we are to realize palpable results.
