Uganda Government News: Uganda asked to ratify Women’s rights protocol
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First published: 20081127 6:19:40 AM EST
Ultimate Media
Women activists in Uganda have called upon the government to ratify the African Union led Maputo Protocol on women’s rights which guarantees the rights of women against discrimination and ill treatment.
Solome Nakawesi Kimbugwe, the Coordinator of Akina Mama Wa Africa, a women rights NGO says the Maputo protocol has been hailed globally for its provision on women’s rights and freedoms.
She was speaking today during a public dialogue in Kampala on how to end violence against women in Uganda. The dialogue is part of the global campaign of 16days of activism on ways of ending violence against women.
Nakawesi says the Maputo declaration on rights of women is instrumental in the promotion and protection of women’s rights. She says the government of Uganda should sign the protocol in order to show its commitment to promoting the rights of women, whom she says continue to suffer a lot of violence and mistreatment amid weak or no laws to protect them or punish those who perpetrate violence against women.
But many African governments have refused to sign the protocol because of some controversial provisions in the declarations like those guaranteeing women’s rights to abortion and sex trade. Both abortion and sex trade are illegal in Uganda.
Nakimbugwe says it is time the government saw the importance of these provisions in the Maputo protocol which promote full rights of women to decide issues that affect them socially, physically and politically.
She reiterated the call by women organizations on the government to expedite the passing of the Sexual Offenses bill and the Domestic Relations bill, which are expected to adequately punish sexual crimes and provide for better family relations respectively.
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