Report
from Kaabong Women’s Group 2003
“Invest in Caring not Killing” Women
say No to War
The 8th March 2003 was another opportunity for KWGO. It was celebrated in Kaabong officially as the two counties joined, Jie, Labwor and Dodoth where Kaabong is, these counties make up Kotido district in Karamoja region.
Women, children, and men arrived at KWGO Women's Centre a week before 8th March, walking for days on empty stomachs, drinking dirty water knowing very well that they are part of the Global Women's Strike. There was drama, concerts about the hard work of a woman and visits to nearby homes, Kaabong Senior School, Kaabong hospital, Komoria girls primary school. At the same time at our Women's Centre Ajilong and Christine Adong were counselling advocacy for girl child education / community health care and women's rights. The last meeting was held on 7th March 2003 for the strike demands, with police women, nurses, local government officials, single mothers, and head prefects of four schools in Kaabong. The Strike demands are as follows: "Invest in Caring not Killing"
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Women say NO to Wars
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Women need food security
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And accessible clean water
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Value women's caring work
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Eradicate poverty/famine and diseases among rural women
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Stop domestic violence and respect our rights
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Give us essentials instead of buying arms to kill our children, women and people live in terror.
On 8th March at 7.00 am John Lokiru was moving around the town of Kaabong with a hand loud speaker announcing the Global Women's Strike. We gathered at the Centre, marched and joined St. Monica Women's Group, KARWA Women's Group, Jie Women's Group, Labwor Women's Group, Karanga Women's Group, Napore Youth Group, Police Women, Teachers, Men, students of Kaabong Senior School and the pupils of primary schools, and students from Alternative Basic Education in Karamoja (ABEK) which teaches adult literacy to all ages in the area. Everybody sang, chanted and matched around Kaabong town along the main road and back to the town hall, not far from our Women's Centre.
We all took our seats. The guest of honour was the Woman Member of Parliament for Kotido district, Hon. Christine Nakwang and other guests were: the Local Council V, the Member of Parliament for Jie and all local government officials representing their departments. The guest of honour arrived chanting "No domestic violence from today". The M.C. was a lady (Mrs. Dipola) who talked and alerted men for their support to women: as women are builders of dwelling huts, carers, food providers, breast feeding mothers, everybody should say NO to domestic violence and NO War.
Every 30 minutes there were speeches, plays/songs of different groups. Grace Loumo was given a chance to talk, she talked about the Women's Global Strike which takes part on the International Women's Day 8th March 2003, that's why you have seen many women present. Today we joined and participated in the Global Strike for the 4th time. Indeed the majority of women all over the world are given a raw deal besides the severe hardship they go through, domestic violence, abuse of women's rights and many others.
Most of our communities believe that whatever development which is given to a man automatically a woman benefits. This is complete NO. We are in the villages as workers, kraal leader's wives/daughters, traditional birth attendants, community health educators and mothers and our voices are loud and clear for our demands.
We strongly support the Global Women's Strike and all women need equal opportunity. Today we are about 1,500 women, children and men, it's indeed a great day joining other countries for the Global Women's Strike. We say NO to War "Invest in Caring not Killing". Power to sisters. This is women's collective ideas presented by Grace.
The day ended with drama, exhibition, songs and speeches from women's group leaders and a poem from one student, a girl from Kaabong Senior School. I have the radio cassette tape which will be sent to you plus photos. We left the Court hall at 7.30 pm for a party in the Catholic Mission Hall. During the get-together party, which was organised by the district team leaders.
The Strike was supported by one Member of Parliament for Jie county, Hon. Achilla Rex, who demonstrated and amused the men and women by serving food to the women and giving water to wash their hands after eating. This was a real acceptance of the Global Strike and is being practiced by a powerful man. Men promised to do the same with their wives and value their work.
Bravo to all sisters.
Letter
& photos from Uganda 2003
Letter
& photos from Uganda
2002
Report
& photos of Strike 2002 Uganda
Information
on the Global Women's Strike 2001 in LUO
More on Kaabong with
photos from 2000
RAPPORT
SUR LA GRÈVE DES FEMMES DU
GROUPE DES FEMMES DE KAABONG, OUGANDA
Press: The Other Voice, 2 March 2002, Women plan big strike on March 8
Anti-war statement from the women of Uganda