By Gertrude Opira | Founder & Vice Chair
JLOF trip and workshop - This is what we found...
It takes a whole day to drive the 440 kilometers from Kampala to Kitgum.
The decent road ends 100 km before you reach Kitgum. Among those many things we discovered here was that unfortunately there are still too few NGOs, development and support programmes and aid organizations that make their way up here. Therefore we even more are thankful to Forum Syd for support of this study trip!
On the site...
There is only one more or less ok place for visitors to stay, and, during the dry season not everyone can bear with 38 degrees Celsius in the shadow. Whereas during the rainy season you might just get stuck in your car somewhere on a mud road in the middle of - it seems like - nowhere. Now we know, however, that this is not no-where. This is a place where fantastic and strong people live, and the thing that they are longing the most for is hope. Something we all seek for and receive from those around us. We will continue working with the village Pajong in restoring their hope for the future. Especially that their hope is quite clear: education for all children. We will do so while also challenging others to do not hesitate and come here. Do you want to change the world? The process starts here, in Northern Uganda, Kitgum district, Pajong village. #jloftrip
The challenge, success and commitment...
The main goal of the trip to Northern Uganda was to meet with the local community, and by the means of a workshop, together with them to find out where the needs of the village are, in terms of removing the obstacles for all children in Pajong get access to primary education.
The workshop identified many obstacles in this regard. The issues were grouped into seven areas: Children, parents, poverty, infrastructure and human resources, health, climate change and the image of the region.
The very aim of the workshop was challenging, but the it was greatly successful in terms of participation (all main groups in the village were represented, including seniors, teachers, public administration, women, children, church among others), as well as due to their active contribution. This success led to the result where very serious and large obstacles were identified. The commitment after the workshop was laid for the both sides - JLOF, and the local community. Both sides are ready to take the findings further and look for the best solution that could help to address the difficult situation of children in Pajong.
JLOF Women Network AndThe Girls Project Task Force
On 9 June, the first JLOF Women Network Event took place, kindly hosted at Weld - a space for performance, dance, and art in Stockholm. JLOF Women Network is an informal meeting for women that are not OK with seeing that girls do not get to finish their primary education because of their female bodies.
The Network met to share thoughts and suggestions regarding some particular facts that were brought back from the JLOF study trip. During the study trip attention was drawn to possible linkages between poor sanitation in schools and low attendance rates amongst post-pubescent girls. In particular, questions were raised about the influence of menstruation and access to sanitary products on schoolgirl absenteeism.
Research on this topic is scarce and moreover, the few detailed empirical studies that have been conducted in sub-Saharan Africa on this topic have produced contradictory results and the issue become complex as it is closely studied. At the same time it is clear how poverty coupled with low levels of sexual and reproductive health and rights education can exacerbate gendered bodily inequalities as girls face an increased risk of sexual exploitation when they reach puberty. The network aim to find optimal and viable solutions for JLOFs partner schools.
As the result of the Network meeting, a Task Force was formed which will continue working over the summer on providing a framework for a future project. Over the month of August, the Task Force will hold open meetings where this important issue will be discussed in the light of Human Rights, as well as Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Keep updated by following #JLOFgirls and https://www.facebook.com/JLOFgirls
We would like to thank all for the continued donations and support..
With heartfelt gratitude,
Gertrude Opira
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