WOUGNET Update Newsletter - December 2002

[Dorothy Okello <dokello@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

WOUGNET Update Newsletter - December 2002
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Here is a list of what's new at the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)
website - http://www.wougnet.org For comments or queries,
please contact info@xxxxxxxxxxx

To subscribe/unsubscribe to the WOUGNET Update Newsletter, send a
message to wougnet-update-request@xxxxxxxxxxx with the following
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NOTE:
The next issue of the WOUGNET Update Newsletter
will be in February 2003.

Season's Greetings and  a peaceful and prosperous 2003.
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WHAT'S NEW
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1. WOMEN ORGANISATIONS IN UGANDA

= A new tool to open access to information for rural women farmers in
   Africa - Anne S. Walker, Executive Director, IWTC
Rural women, most of whom are farmers speaking only the local
language of their region, are among the most isolated groups in
Africa. Anne Walker describes the rationale and methodology used in
developing the CD-ROM "Rural Women in Africa: Ideas for Earning
Money" designed to meet the needs of rural women in Africa to have
access to relevant and appropriate information that will improve
their marketing and survival skills. The CD Rom uses a simple browser
navigating system with graphic interface and spoken text.
http://www.wougnet.org/Documents/NAWODA/anewtool.html

* Nakaseke Women's Development Association (NAWODA) are pioneer
users of the CD-ROM "Rural Women in Africa: Ideas for Earning
Money"


= Kampala 2002 resolution on women, peace and conflict
Women suffer inordinately in times of armed conflict. They are
stakeholders in the search for sustainable peace. Their involvement
in the peace processes is not a luxury, it is an absolute necessity.
Women's views and strategies must be sought after- from the
grassroots up to the top. This should be accompanied by capacity
building. Women involvement should not only be based on their
training but also on their experiences in conflicts. The Kampala 2002
Resolution on Women, Peace and Conflict, drafted as agreed upon in
the Women, Peace and Conflict track at the WOMEN'S WORLDS 2002
Conference is available at:
http://www.wougnet.org/Documents/WSTUDIES/womenpeace.html


= Video documentary: A Lingering Pain: Women and War in Uganda
   Produced by Isis-WICCE, 2002. 40 minutes.
In November 25, 2002, Isis Women's International Cross-Cultural
Exchange (Isis-WICCE) launched the video documentary entitled "A
Lingering Pain: Women and War in Uganda" in Kampala as one of
Isis-WICCE's activities for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender
Violence.
For more than 25 years, Uganda has suffered cyclic political
upheavals, which have resulted in armed conflicts. As in all wars and
armed conflict situations, women and children have been targeted and
have experienced various forms of gender based violence. The
documentary highlights a grippingly sad account of Uganda women war
survivors who, despite the abductions, rapes and torture at the hands
of warring parties, unite against the evils that degrade their
humanity.
"A Lingering Pain" is a struggle of the female voice, which amidst
the chaos and waste created by war, re-emerges with amazing
resilience to challenge the greed, subordination, and humiliation
characterizing many armed conflict situations on the African
continent.
http://www.wougnet.org/Documents/IsisWICCE/isis16days.html



2. DOCUMENTS ON WOMEN'S ISSUES IN UGANDA

= Maternal Health Care in Rural Uganda: Leveraging Traditional and Modern
    Knowledge Systems - Dr. Maria Musoke, Makerere University
This article discusses the Rural Extended Services and Care for
Ultimate Emergency Relief (RESCUER) project which was launched in
March 1996, as a pilot project in Iganga District, Eastern Uganda, to
address the high maternal mortality problem. The project was
initiated by the Uganda Ministry of Health, United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA) and the Uganda Population Secretariat. The RESCUER
project has three components: communication, transport and quality
health care services delivery.
http://www.wougnet.org/documents.html#MHC



3. LINKS AND RESOURCES

a) Agriculture

= ICT Update
ICT Update is a bi-monthly web magazine from CTA on ICTs for
agricultural and rural development in African, Caribean and Pacific
(ACP) countries. It also appears as a printed bulletin and email
newsletter. Each issue of ICT Update focuses on a specific theme. The
web magazine features four articles relevant to ICTs for agricultural
and rural development in ACP countries, each highlighting a different
aspect of the chosen theme. Readers are warmly invited to contribute
to this resource by sharing information on the chosen theme, and to
add links to relevant documents, news and events and projects.
http://www.wougnet.org/Links/agriculture.html#ICTUPDATE



b) ICT-related organisations

= Open Knowledge Network
The Open Knowledge Network, <http://www.openknowledge.net>, is an
initiative of the G8 Digital Opportunity Taskforce (DOTForce) linking
together existing grassroots information and  knowledge-sharing
initiatives to promote both the creation and the exchange of local
content as widely as possible across the South, supported by a range
of different information and communication technologies (ICTs). The
programme is coordinated by OneWorld International and its network of
southern offices.
http://www.wougnet.org/Links/ictresources.html#OKN


= Linux Solutions - Uganda
Linux Solutions prides itself as Uganda's leading specialized IT
Solutions provider in Linux Systems. Ever since its establishment,
the company has been at the forefront of providing professional
consultancy and support services in Uganda with a view to availing
robust and more affordable solutions based on the Linux operating
system. Based in Kampala, Linux Solutions is enabling companies and
organisations to optimally utilise the opportunities offered by the
Linux Operating System.
http://www.wougnet.org/Links/ictresources.html#LSUG



c) Rights

= Héritiers de la Justice
Héritiers de la Justice is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the
promotion of human rights and peace in the Great Lakes region of
Central Africa. Based in the Southern Kivu area of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, its programme includes training for judicial
monitors, training for rural mediators, radio broadcasts and
publications to provide information on peace and justice issues,
assistance and consultation on local organising for peace and human
rights, assistance to victims of violence and human rights
violations, and direct mediation in conflicts.
http://www.wougnet.org/Links/rights.html#HDLJ



d) Women & Gender

= University of the Philippines Center for Women's Studies
The Center for Women's Studies was established in December 1989 to
encourage and strengthen teaching, research extension and advocacy on
and for women in the university. In the last twelve years, the Center
has conducted several studies, notably, feminist research
methodologies, women's health, reproductive health, the nature and
extent of gender violence in the family, women and the environment,
intergenerational transmission of feminist values, as well as gender
and globalization.
http://www.wougnet.org/Links/aboutwomen.html#UPCWS


= Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children
The Women's Commission is an expert resource and advocacy
organization that monitors the care and protection of refugee women
and children. It speaks out on issues of concern to refugee and
displaced women, children and adolescents, who have a critical
perspective in bringing about change but often do not have access to
governments and policy makers. It also provides opportunities for
refugee women and youth to speak for themselves through briefings,
testimony, participation in field assessments and international
conferences. The Women's Commission was founded in 1989 under the
auspices of the International Rescue Committee- a non-profit,
non-sectarian, voluntary agency providing assistance to refugees
around the world.
http://www.wougnet.org/Links/aboutwomen.html#WCRWC



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EVENTS & NEWS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

December 2002

= Call for Applications: Access to Justice Initiative
The International Commission of Jurists - Kenya section is calling
for applications to be considered under the Access to Justice
Initiative. The Initiative aims at the promotion and empowerment of
human rights in Africa and offers financial and professional support
to the litigation in Court of cases defending human rights. The
Initiative is open to Community Based Associations, NGOs, as well as
to private law firms, willing to defend cases involving human rights
in Court. The Initiative seeks to develop human rights jurisprudence
in 5 specific thematic areas: (1) Labour rights; (2) Women's rights
under customary law; (3) Right to health; (4) Rights of individuals
with HIV/AIDS; (5) Right to fair trial. Other cases involving
internationally recognized human rights might be supported ad hoc.
The deadline to submit applications is December 10, 2002.
http://www.wougnet.org/projectnews.html#ACJ



March 2003

= Training Course on Ageing in Africa, 17 - 21 March 2003, Nairobi, Kenya
This five day training course aims to provide a broad and up-to-date
understanding of the issues of ageing in Africa. It offers
participants a unique opportunity to be equipped with the necessary
skills to deliver better services to older people. The course, that
will be facilitated by practitioners from organisations working with
older people and experts from academic and research institutions in
Africa, will address key issues of ageing in the  continent.
http://www.wougnet.org/Events/projectnews03.html#HelpAge



April 2003

= Small Grants Fund: GenARDIS (Gender, Agriculture and Rural
   Development in the Information Society)
CTA and IICD are pleased to announce GenARDIS (Gender, Agriculture and Rural
Development in the Information Society), a Small Grants Fund for innovative,
gender-sensitive activities that will contribute to the understanding and
application of ICTs for agricultural and rural development in ACP countries.
Rural women in ACP countries can use ICTs to improve their livelihoods and the
well-being of their families and communities. This is a competitive
call for applications for non-renewable grants of up to EUR 5,000.
Applications should be submitted by April 15, 2003 and successful
applicants will be announced in June 2003.
http://www.wougnet.org/Events/projectnews03.html#GenARDIS


= Advance Notice: The use of ICTs to report on HIV/AIDS - A workshop
   for women communicators, Uganda, April 2003
SciDev.Net and UNESCO are pleased to announce a training workshop in
the use of information and communications technologies - in
particular the internet - to improve reporting on HIV/AIDS, which
will take place in Uganda in April 2003. The workshop is for women
only and is aimed at those who are (or would like to be)
professionally engaged in communicating HIV/AIDS information to the
public  -- through both print or radio - as well as health policy
experts and decision-makers engaged in gathering and disseminating
information about AIDS by electronic means.
http://www.wougnet.org/Events/projectnews03.html#SciDev



July 2003

= 11th GASAT International Conference on Gender And Science And
   Technology (GASAT11), July 6-11, 2003
The Gender and Science and Technology (GASAT) Association is an
international association of people concerned with issues arising
from interactions between gender and science and technology. GASAT 11
will be held in Le Reduit, Mauritius in the summer of 2003, organised
by the Mauritius Institute of Education. The theme of the conference
is GSTEPS: Gender Steps Technology and Economic Paradigm Shifts.
Conference details and on-line registration information can be found
at the conference website
<http://www.gasat-canada.org/conference/c1.html>
http://www.wougnet.org/Events/projectnews03.html#GASAT11


To list your event/news on the WOUGNET website, send details about
the event/news including contact information to: news@xxxxxxxxxxx


~~~~~~~~~~~
GEM Africa
~~~~~~~~~~~
Gender Evaluation Methodology (GEM) Africa

GEM is a gender analysis tool produced by APC Women's Networking
Support Programme (WNSP) for practitioners who share a commitment to
gender equality and women's empowerment in ICTs. GEM provides a means
for determining whether ICTs are really improving women's lives and
gender relations as well as promoting positive change at the
individual, institutional, community and broader social levels. GEM
was created in 2001 and will be field tested and refined during
2002-2003.

More information on APC, the APC WNSP and GEM is available at the
following websites:
http://www.apc.org
http://www.apcwomen.org
http://www.apcwomen.org/gem

Including WOUGNET, the GEM Africa testers are AMARC Africa, African
Women's Development and Communications Network (FEMNET), Fantsuam
Foundation, SANGONeT, Women'sNet, Isis-Women's International
Cross-Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE) and Zimbabwe Women's Resource
Center and Network (ZWRCN).
http://www.apcwomen.org/gem/whosafrica.htm


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ICT Policy and Civil Society
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Organised by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC),
and hosted by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) with the
support of Article 19, the Addis workshop on ICT Policy and Civil
Society sparked the formation of a network of ICT policy mobilizers
dedicated to building an inclusive information society in Africa.

The workshop took place over three days starting November 6 at the UNECA
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Over 80 representatives from
non-governmental organizations, human rights organisations, media groups,
women's organizations, development groups and researchers from 24 countries
throughout Africa gathered to discuss the role of African civil society in
ICT policy-making and to outline a plan of action to move forward in
mobilizing other organisations on these issues.

Addis Workshop Statement:
http://africa.rights.apc.org/workshop_dec_eng.shtml [English]
http://africa.rights.apc.org/workshop_dec_fr.shtml [French]

Addis Workshop Action Plan:
http://africa.rights.apc.org/workshop_Actionplan.shtml

APC Africa Internet Rights Policy Monitor
http://africa.rights.apc.org


WOUGNET participated in the Addis workshop and is calling for input
on two items of the workshop action plan:

a) ICT Policy training and campaigns
During the Addis Workshop, participants were invited to submit names
and email addresses of individuals from civil society organisations
in Africa who would be interested in taking part in ICT policy
training and campaigns. This is so as to grow a network of
organisations and stakeholders engaged in the African ICT policy
process. The names submitted to us will be forwarded to the
Association of Progressive Communications (APC), co-hosts of the
Addis Workshop, who will maintain a database of names and contacts.
For additional information or if you would like to be added to the
database, please send email to ictpolicy@xxxxxxxxxxx


b) Open Source Software in Africa

During the Addis Workshop, the need for developing a framework
for open source solutions emerged strongly. Consequently, the working
group on Information Security, Applications Development (Open Source)
unanimously resolved to create itself into an interim civil society
task force on open source to be called 'Open Source Task Force for
Africa - OSTA'. WOUGNET is a member of the interim task force.

The task force is gathering contact details of individuals and
organizations working or interested in Open Source so as to setup a
knowledge database on Open Source in Africa. For additional
information or if you would like to be added to the database, please
send email to opensource@xxxxxxxxxxx or visit:
http://www.wougnet.org/ICTpolicy/opensource.html


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