Unity is power and unity is strength

Daizy lives in the Bulisa district of Uganda, where women and their communities have been subjected to land grabbing and displacement due to the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Daizy also faces further challenges of exclusion and discrimination due to her disability. But, Daizy has found community with the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) and is now a key member of their ecofeminist movement. 

Taking care of safe spaces

In Daizy’s community in Bulisa, women and girls face multiple challenges.  

“Women and girls are facing teenage pregnancy, early marriages and rape. There are a lot of conflicts in our community and many people fear going to the police directly. But, they feel very comfortable bringing their cases to me.” 

This is because Daizy is one of the caretakers of NAPE’s safe spaces. “The safe spaces were established by NAPE to resolve conflict, give counselling and provide guidance to survivors of domestic violence. When I cannot fully resolve them, I refer them to the police and then follow up with them so that they feel confident.” 

Passing on knowledge to the community

“As a person living with a disability, I found that many organisations were neglecting me and my community on local issues. But then NAPE have encouraged us to come and acquire knowledge and skills that can sustain and empower us. In fact, before joining NAPE and the grassroots women’s movement, I could never speak in public, but now I can speak at big gatherings.  

The knowledge I have gained through NAPE has positively impacted members of my community too and I believe it will continue growing. Personally, I have been able to acquire an extra income that allowed me to construct a permanent house . Whatever I learn with NAPE, I pass it onto my community, for example around income generation at household and community levels. I feel that my future is going to be a bright one because of this.” 

Ecofeminist movement strengthening

“NAPE have taught our grassroots women’s movement how to defend our rights on our ancestral land. We’ve been taught about how to safeguard our land against grabbers, and we now know that we have a right to own land. NAPE have also shown us how to safeguard the family land if our husbands want to sell it without our consent. Women in the community now also know all about kitchen gardening for food and for making an income. 

To me, ecofeminism is coming together to fight against environmental degradation. Together, we plant trees and learn how to conserve the environment for our future. When we come together to have unified and amplified voice, I feel we are stronger. Unity is power and unity is strength.” 

Womankind has been partners with NAPE since 2017, and recently funded NAPE’s grassroots movement work through the Movement Strengthening Fund.