The Other Half of October 7!

October 7--part 2--THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!  Got there in time for the last tea break, including Granny networking, and children's cultural performances.  Exhibition stalls were open in the park for sales, and wonderful treasures were bought and sold.  I arrived in my purple shirt and face bandage, and had time to do a bit of shopping.  Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, baskets and one wonderful beaded collar went into my shopping bag.  I now wish I had brought more treasures back with me--some of the Canadian grannies loaded up with colourful fabrics and woven carpets, etc. with them, but I was concerned about having to transport them all the way home, and through customs. 

Shopping on Last Day
Photo by Stella

 

The tall beautiful woman in orange, was the artist who created the beaded collar I purchased.  I will try to add a photo of it later.  The other people in this photo were women from her village.  There were many tender moments in the park this day, as we all knew our Gathering was coming to an end.  So much laughing, dancing, singing, talking and even weeping, were all coming to an end. 

 

It was time to go back to the Convention Hall  for the Closing Ceremony.  A prayer was said, and two national anthems were played.  And then the Ugandan Grandmothers Statement was presented.  This was the statement that kept our leaders up all the night before, writing from the notes of the rapporteurs at the workshops and other sessions--the distillation of all that had gone before in the two previous days--the jewel of the Gathering--Our reason for being there--The Voice of 500 Ugandan Grandmothers.  It was a very emotional moment.  It was read by Geraldine Powma  and translated by Jaja Jeda on behalf of us all.

 

Ugandan Grandmothers' Statement

We, 500 grandmothers from every region in Uganda, have come together for three days in Entebbe for the first ever National Grandmothers’ Gathering. We are celebrating our triumphs over the devastation that HIV and AIDS has wrought: over the painful losses of our loved ones, over stigma and discrimination, and over the threat to our very survival. Our love and labour has sown the seeds of new hope for our grandchildren, our families and our communities.

Our journey has been a long one, but our strength has been growing. We joined with other grandmothers in Toronto in 2006, breaking through silence and stigma. In Swaziland in 2010, we looked toward the future. Now, united in Uganda, we are claiming that future.

We have done our part. We care for the sick, we work the land, we hold our collective memory, and fueled by our love we raise the next generations, provide food, schooling, homes and security.

For far too long we have not been counted, we have not been valued, we have been made invisible. It is time for our contributions to be recognized and our rights to be protected.

Health care services must respond to the needs and realities of grandmothers and the children in their care, including: accessible grandmother-friendly HIV related services, specialized clinics and mobile care.

We must be protected from land grabbing and our property and inheritance rights guaranteed — not just on paper but in reality.

We demand an end to violence against grandmothers, whether it is domestic violence, elder abuse, or rape.

We are productive members of our society, and every government programme and policy should be designed with us in mind. But that is not enough, concrete action must be taken to ensure we can access them.

Our efforts to secure livelihoods for our families must be supported. Economic opportunities should be expanded for those of us still able to work, and social benefits extended to those who cannot. Protection from theft is essential, as well as greater access to credit and markets. We are raising generations of grandchildren ruptured by trauma, and require financial assistance and psychosocial support.

While we welcome the commitment to move the provision of social pensions from 15 to 40 districts, we urge our government to reach all of the grandmothers of our nation as soon as possible.

To our government, the private sector, civil society, media, UN agencies and members of the international community — the grandmothers of Uganda have a powerful vision for a future in which our families and communities are thriving, and have left the ravages of AIDS behind. With the support of our community-based organizations we have made huge strides, and we know a vibrant future is possible, but we cannot do it alone.

To our Canadian sisters in the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, you are an important part of our story, and we feel your solidarity as we build momentum.

We are 500 grandmothers here today, but we represent millions more. We are not young, but we are strong. We want the world to know how much we have achieved and how much we have overcome. We have breath to sing and energy to dance. We are moving forward! Join us!
 

This was the first International Gathering  There are now three statements in our literature:  The Toronto Statement in 2006 when the GMs were deeply in need of help to ease the suffering, the Manzini (Swasiland) Statement in 2010 turning the tide on HIV/AIDS and now the Uganda Statement when the GMs where there is now evidence that the tide is turning and GMs have found their voice.  Slowly things are changing--with school and home security, protection from land grabbing, violence, elder abuse and rape. 

 

There was more celebrating, singing and dancing, regional performances, and remarks by various leaders.  A lady by the name of Florence Butegwa spoke to the gathering.  She thanked the Canadians and Brits for travelleing the distance  and wished us safe passage back to our groups.  Some of the government representatives were "no-shows" but they were replaced amptly by others.  I'm afraid I was not in my best reporting condition because of my earlier accident.  My notes are very sketchy--I hope there will be  a video of this event that you can see some day.  A great deal of discussion about Human Rights.  " citizens are entitled to a full and meaningful life with dignity."  Grandmothers organizations are leaning how to apply policies already in place in their consititution--pensions for the elderly--micro grants--lists of essential medical supplies.  The government has an obligation.  GMs have rights, can make demands according to the constitution. 

 

Here is the video of Stephen’s full speech from the gathering :) Many of the Canadian Grannies even make an appearance!  Make sure you take the time to watch this--it is awesome!

  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmNrSMmie2M