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RECLAIMING SPACE, WHY THE IMARA WOMEN’S CENTRE SHOULD INTEREST YOU.

For centuries, the Feminist Movement has been a powerful force in the fight for women's rights and gender equality. Even though the movement has come a long way, it is still growing and facing new obstacles. The acknowledgment and amplification of women's voices within the movement itself is a critical component of this progression. This article examines the value of women's voices in the feminist movement, the challenges they have faced, and the role that feminist convenings can play in advancing voice to grow the movement.

Throughout the course of history, women have had to struggle for fundamental rights including the ability to vote, the right to own property, the right to bodily autonomy, and even the right to participate in public spaces. Progression through the different phases of the feminist movement struggles has seen some of these rights become widely recognized, but discrimination still persists in some areas/communities.

Established in 2007, Women Deliver has evolved into a Global advocacy organization that employs new ways of working across sectors and issue areas to advance solutions and action on gender equality and SRHR. Women Deliver boasts of bringing together hundreds of thousands of advocates to galvanize momentum and drive change for girls and women through its triannual Conferences and virtual convenings.  Women Deliver 2023 was co-created by a range of actors who advance gender equality to represent many communities facing systematic oppressions alongside women and the theme spaces, solidarity and solutions was chosen with action in mind.

As one of the independent platforms for women to raise their voices, Women Deliver has further demonstrated the importance of women connecting with each other in a space free of judgement and to share their lived experiences. The spirit within which WD is convened is in line with the aspirations of the third wave of feminism and beyond, which focus on embracing intersectionality and actively striving to demolish oppressive institutions that affect women differently depending on their circumstances. This also rhymes with the Forum for Women in Democracy’s intentions and aspirations for establishing the Imara Women’s Centre.

The Imara Women’s Centre is intended to be an inclusive space for women’s convening, learning, innovation and solidarity-building. From 26 years of experience working on gender equality and equity in Uganda, FOWODE understood the need for women to have their own spaces. The Centre represents a sustainable effort for women’s spaces to grow beyond grants and donations and will be FOWODE’s contribution to the growth and sustainability of the women’s movement.  

We broke ground on this monumental project during the celebration of International Women’s Day in March 2022. The groundbreaking event saw several women uplifted by FOWODE’s leadership academy and mentorship actively participate and contribute to the realization of this dream. Different generations of women came together, the founders of FOWODE and initial allies, the current administration and alumni of FOWODE’s leadership training. It was a testament that strengthening the capacity of women to lead can become a foundation to build strategically and attain the gender equality that we so desire.

Networking opportunities such as those witnessed at Women Deliver 2023 were also provided during the groundbreaking for the Imara Women’s Centre where the official fundraising for the Centre was also launched. The new generation of activists and propellers of women’s empowerment got the opportunity to learn from the pacesetters. Mentorship is an unequalled creator of opportunity and space for women to grow in an environment free from judgement thus the importance of spaces like the Imara Women’s Centre that will enable creativity, innovation, learning, networking and building connections. 

Furthermore, technology has provided a new space for activism, knowledge generation and sharing and a platform for young people to be seen, heard and appreciated. The Imara Women’s Centre drive at FOWODE further gives opportunities for volunteers in digital activism to fundraise for the Centre and spread messages of equality, social justice and inclusion.

For true gender equality to be achieved and the complex difficulties that women experience around the world to be addressed, the feminist movement must prioritize the voices of women. The movement can continue to develop and adapt to the shifting demands of women all over the world by acknowledging and valuing varied perspectives. The Imara Women’s Centre when realized will be a major contribution to the creation of safe spaces where the Feminist Movement can strategize to create a more equal environment for women in Uganda and beyond through inclusive and intersectional approaches, ultimately resulting in a culture that values and elevates women's voices in all spheres of life.