By CARE

by Lee Webster

30. November 2009

I had terrible nightmares last night.  Haunting, terrifying dreams where people I love and trust attacked and hurt me.  I woke up in a cold sweat, petrified.
I wept with relief when I realised that they were just bad dreams.  And then I wept some more when I remembered that for the women in the Caravan violence is not just a nightmare, it’s a daily threat and all too often a reality.  I have to admit that the thought of another day of interviewing women about their experience of violence filled me with dread.  But not being the defeatist type, I gave myself a stern talking to!

The women I’ve now been traveling with for four days are choosing to share very personal details of their lives with me.  They are trusting me with their stories, speaking out so that others can know about the problems faced by women in Uganda.  The least I can do is write it all down.

With new strength to Gulu

So with renewed strength (and an extra cup of coffee) I join the procession around Gulu town.  Gulu is the largest town in the area, and the crowds come out to cheer us along.  I feel a familiar campaigner’s sense of belonging and purpose as I march alongside the women who I’ve come to like.

Back at the school field where today’s event is taking place, I’m by now used to the format of the day.  Speeches by CARE partners, politicians and police chiefs are interspersed with dances, songs, poetry and drama performances, all sending out a strong message of non-violence.

Even though I know the format, I never tire of listening to the contributions (with the help of my fabulous translator, James Ojok).  Women and men speak from the heart about their work to protect women, support survivors of violence and change attitudes.  Today the words of Irene Anena catch my attention.  Irene is 29 and works as a Gender Based Violence Project Officer for the Diocese of Northern Uganda (a partner of CARE Uganda).  They provide psychosocial support and case management for survivors of violence.  She makes a strong speech to the assembled dignitaries and activists:

“Despite the improving political and security situation in the northern region today, women still suffer the consequences of war.  Sexual and gender based violence has been recognised as a weapon of war, destabilising entire regions and populations.  Yet the use of gender related crimes are never an issue in most peace agreements”.

As I head to the hotel for a meal with the ever-growing number of partners and activists, I remember that it’s my last day in northern Uganda.  Tomorrow we head to Kampala, with the important mission of presenting a petition on protection from violence to the Ugandan parliament.  I’ll miss the north though, and it’s with mixed feelings that I go to sleep for the last time (at least for now) in Gulu.

Tags: Afrika, bad dreams, Gulu, Partners, Uganda, Women, women's rights

This entry was posted on Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 14:24 and is filed under Lee Webster, Uganda: Campaigning for Women's Rights. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.