Womens Rights....what women’s rights?

What would you do to defend your rights?  What lengths would you take to ensure that there is a free and fair election in your country?  When would you just give up?  Would you give up?

Earlier this year the Women’s League for the IPC of Uganda were arrested for protesting peacefully outside the Electoral Commission office while trying to deliver a petition.  The women were roughed up and mistreated. (I was priveledged to interview Nyakato Rusoke of the FDC in February for Edirisa, make sure you read the article). Charged with illegal assembly (which is absolute bollocks because no laws were broken) the women have not only been vilified by the Government but they have been dragged to court again and again without hearing.  Once a month all 33 women stand in front of the Magistrates Court only to hear nothing but come back again next month.  This is a blatant attempt by the current Government to break their spirits and keep their focus away from the bigger issues.   This will not break them!  The women continue to demonstrate peacefully again and again only to be harassed by the police and Government officials.  They have been imprisoned, charged, assaulted with poison and had their dignity offended.  Who needs to lift up a woman’s dress while they arrest them so the press can get that upskirt shot.  Shame on you Red Pepper!  In the immortal words of Derryn Hinch...shame, shame, shame.

Last month there appeared a light at the end of the tunnel!  The presiding Magistrate fired himself from the case as he is biased towards the NRM.  Woohoo!  Finally someone is admitting to this charade!  So on Wednesday the 6^th October a new Magistrate who has had a month to look over the paperwork took over and hopes for some kind of resolution were high.  The women stood defiantly waiting for those words...”case dismissed”.  Alas, it was not meant to be.  Do we have to wait another 9 months before this Magistrate also steps down or will it all be resolved after the election results?  I guess we’ll just have to wait and see but really, come on!  This is an outrageous abuse of power by officials.  But since when has that been abnormal here.  Hate me for what I am saying I don’t care, there are women out there fighting for their say, fighting for their rights, fighting for their children, future and their country and what happens?  Their names are dragged through the mud, one of them has allegedly mysteriously died, others hospitalised and many degraded by nasty paparazzi getting the money shots. 

Stay strong women of the world and continue to fight the good fight.  You have support, people who love you, care about you, only want the best for you, are proud of you and look up to you. 

Jah Bless.