Forum for Women in Democracy Uganda

“The best protection any woman can have … is courage.” – Elizabeth Cady Stanton

HON Tezira Jamwa tells her story at FOWODE Head Offices  HON TEZIRA JAMWA Tezira Jamwa, besides being a Board Member of FOWODE, was recently elected National Vice Chairperson NRM Women’s League Representing Eastern Region. A big accomplishment and a great platform for the women of Uganda. How did she get here though? That question will lead us to who is Hon Jamwa really? She is a daughter, a sister, a friend, a mother, a teacher, an activist and, a leader. Tezira is from the district of Tororo and was born in a polygamous family. First child of this family, her mother was a muganda who later separated with her father, leaving her children to be raised by husband’s second wife. Growing up, you can say her birthright manifested in her. Because of her natural leadership skills but also the ever-present desire to lead, she found herself pulled by this gravity to make a difference. She knew that a good education was the key to all her leadership dream...

“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” – Diane Mariechild

Following the tabling of the Public Finance and Management Amendment Bill, 2015 a spirited fight was put up by FOWODE, other Civil society actors notably CSBAG, the Equal Opportunities Commission & a section of Members of Parliament to reject the proposed amendments. The fight was a call to MPs to reject the proposed amendments. Key of the amendments to the bill was “to repeal the provision on the requirement to present a certificate certifying that the policy statements of the Votes are gender and equity responsive”.   This would have been a “tragic” move by government that would have undermined all its efforts in promoting the gender, equity and equal opportunities principles that it boasts of. The proposed amendments in the Public Finance and Management Act 2015 read; Section 13 of the Principal Act, is amended-(a) by substituting for section 13 the following: “the Minister or any other person responsible for the vote as the case may be shall base...

“It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union…. Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less.” – Susan B. Anthony

“We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all the civil and political rights that belong to citizens of the United States, be guaranteed to us and our daughters forever.”   – Susan B. Anthony