We have shattered so many glass ceilings we created a carpet of shards. Now we are sweeping away the assumptions and bias of the past so women can advance across new frontiers,” says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message for International Women’s Day 2016.
On March 8, Freedom and Roam Uganda joins people around the world in honoring women and celebrating their contributions towards a more peaceful, and progressive world. FARUG, which has been led by strong and smart, women human rights defenders from Kasha J Nabagesera to Junic Wambya and now the current Executive Director Ssenfuka J Warry, stands as a lasting example of the powerful change that determined women can make and sustain on behalf of the LGBT community in Uganda.
It is a great and too often untold success story that so much of the political, economic, and social progress of the LGBT community in Uganda for the last few decades could never have been imaginable without the leadership and courage of strong women. FARUG is on the fore front and has earnestly continued to advocate for the rights and inclusion of LBT women. In the fight against sexual and gender based violence, and the joint call for non-discriminatory health policies for sexual minorities, Freedom and Roam Uganda and Queer Youth Uganda have come together on this women’s day to #PLEGDE FOR PARITY. Our theme for the day “WE PUSH FOR PARITY” is a testimony of the work FARUG as an organization has been carrying out all this while creating and embracing new opportunities for empowerment of LBT women, advancing human rights of all women regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity, more young LBT women are finding their voices, and paving the way for future generations of the LBT community in Uganda to live a better life.
On this women’s day, FARUG has pledged to fight towards progress in access to healthcare for minorities and inmates, to take front row in the fight against sexual and gender based violence and call for gender inclusive leadership and to uphold career development and sustainability skills for LBTI women.
We are calling upon everyone: LGBT organizations, government, civil society organizations, religious leaders, educational institutions, international human rights organizations and partners, individuals(men and women) to pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly .- whether to help LBTI women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, exposure to strategic and financial roles and integrated networks designed to help women advance, respect and value difference. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity.
#TETULINA BUZIBU
FREEDOM AND ROAM UGANDA’S MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 0
by Farug Communication • Publications, Statements on December 10, 2016
The United Nations on Decembers 10, 1948 adopted the Universal declaration of Human Rights and called upon the different member nations to assure all the human rights to their people. December 10 thus became a historic day in the annals of the world history. As such this day, i.e. December 10 is therefore celebrated all over the world every year as Human Rights Day.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enumerates two sets of human rights. The first set of rights is civil and political rights which include right to freedom of speech, right to life and liberty, right to equality before law, right to have judicial remedy, right to move freely and right to vote or take part in the governance of one’s country. The second set of rights is economic and social rights. These rights include right to work, right to have rest and leisure, right to have a good standard of living, right to education and right to have equal pay for equal work.
All the above rights are important in their own ways. The united Nation has taken a great deal of interest in fighting stigma and discrimination against LGBTI persons because of their sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. One of the most serious of violations of human rights of LGBTI persons in Uganda was the passing of the Anti Homosexuality Act and although it was challenged in court and later nullified,we still suffer from its after effects. We still register cases of LGBTI persons being beaten,tortured,sexual abused,arrested,blackmailed to mention but a few
Human Rights must be ensured to all human beings regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression for their prosperity and happiness. Our fundamental rights are based on these rights.
1. Rights to freedom of speech and expression enable a person to discuss freely for public and national well being.
2. Rights to have judicial remedy enable a citizen to move any court if his/her rights are encroached upon by the Government, any person or any agency.
3. Rights to Vote freely and to take part in the government of one’s country ensures political rights to a citizen.
4. Rights to have equal pay for equal work save a citizen from economic exploitation.
Thus human Rights are the basic human needs and demands. They are necessary for the all round development of a human being. Hence it is expected that every civilised state will incorporate these rights in its Constitution and try to ensure that its citizens enjoy them. ON THIS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY,WE SEND LOVE AND STRENGTH TO ALL THE FEARLESS LGBTI HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND ADVOCATES WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF SEXUAL MINORITIES.WE CELEBRATE YOU.