Country: UGANDA, East Africa
Name: Anne Muwonge
Office address: Uganda Womens Welfare Association,
PO Box 26930, Kampala
EMail: uwowa@yahoo.com
I was born in Uganda in a rural
setting in a family of 9, 2 boys (youngest) and 7 girls. I was
the sixth born in our home and all the first six were girls.
I was given a name "Kithano" which translated means
'this is not a person' - because I was a girl. In our culture
women/girls were not regarded as people of value and therefore
they were denied education and not allowed to eat even eggs
or chicken and liver or carry out any important functions in
the community or inherit any property.
As my father did not have any older sons, he was forced to take
the older sisters to school despite the neglect and abuse from
his own family members and the clan who demanded money from
him to educate their sons.
Unfortunately our father was gunned down during the years of
the notorious Idi Amin Regime and the chance of ever going to
school for the younger ones was destroyed.
Our elder sister was bright in school and the Catholic nuns
accepted to help her plus the rest of our family, including
our youngest sister who was only 7 months old, after the death
of our mother (which followed soon after the death of father).
The nuns took care of us as she completed her training in a
Teachers College.
After this she took full responsibility for the family.
I was able to complete my studies, graduating with an honours
degree in social sciences from the University. Two of the younger
brothers also graduated with degrees with her assistance.
This sister of mine, who was only a grade two teacher by that
time, also managed to upgrade herself and thereafter graduated
with a degree in social work in one of the recognised universities.
Since my graduation, I have carried out several researches with
the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Social Research Institute
in issues concerning women, family planning, and sexuality.
I worked with the rural community in a womens organisation,
which again awakened my interest in assisting the women.
Looking back at my culture and the way I survived through support
from others, I find myself committed to assisting womankind
to try to break the chains that bind them culturally.
This may take a long time looking at the resources available
and the attitude of the people, but the struggle continues.
I am now blessed with my husband and 4 children (3 girls and
1 boy), all of whom I would like to encourage and train to try
and support women in their struggles for recognition and economic
empowerment.