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One day in Kampala, Uganda
Kampala, Uganda, 30th October
This week I attended an awareness raising day against acid violence. The focus was a march with victims of acid violence, women’s groups, Acid Survivors Foundation Uganda (ASFU) staff and supporters. Following a short opening address by the Minister around 9.30am, a sea of green and white Tee shirts, following a colourful brass band, marched around the city centre streets in a peaceful demonstration carrying placards. On arriving back at the railway ground there was a program of entertainment including drama from one of ASFU’s partners, Ahurica, a women’s group who advocate against domestic violence. Despite the language being Luganda, the key messages were clear to all with the women survivors cheering loudly when the male perpetrator of domestic violence was arrested.
Moira Pool joins in Ugandan acid survivors in their awareness march
The key note address was given by Miria Matembe former minister for ethics and integrity and gender activist. Her message was that if Ugandan women can have greater self belief, there are choices outside the traditional marriage that often brings violence. Government needs to enforce stricter laws on gender based violence to protect women often regarded as property to be treated at the will of men. She urged ASFU to rehabilitate survivors into society, assist women with counselling to accept God, adopt a stricter moral code and see themselves as they are with a future. She strongly supports the proposed domestic violence bill that provides a wide range of remedies and with local and formal courts having the ability to hear cases. She urged the government to ensure that the most accessible avenue – the local courts – should uphold the highest standards of justice. She urged all who advocate against domestic violence to work together. Acid survivors who responded warmly to the words of plastic surgeon and chairman of ASFU also had hard questions for the head of the Prosecutors Office regards their view of the capability to bring cases to court.
The day ended with lunch for all the survivors at ASFU offices enjoying being amongst peers and sharing experiences. Their view of the day was reflected in the television coverage of support for the opportunity to bring to the attention of the public the consequences of an acid attack and why they should be stopped.
So how did I feel on this my first ever march? As a trustee of Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) I was proud to be able to support the victims, ASFU that works hard to change the laws preventing the sale and uncontrolled distribution of acid, and determined to make my placard very visible to the many bystanders and the cameramen.
Moira Pool
Trustee Acid Survivors Trust International
30.10.09
Posted on November 03rd 2009 by Test Member in Blog
