NAPE APPLAUDED FOR BUILDING RESILIENCE AND AMPLIFYNG THE VOICES OF MARGINALIZED WOMEN AFFECTED BY OIL PROJECTS

Thursday, August 15th, 2024 | By

National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) has been applauded for building the resilience of communities and amplifying the voices of marginalized women to collectively resist the negative impacts of oil and gas extractives in the Albertine women.

During the meeting of women organized under Grassroots Women Movement, which is coordinated by NAPE, the women appreciated NAPE for organizing them into groups and empowering them to know their rights.

“We were not able to speak up while the government was poorly compensating us for the land they took for Kaiso-Tonya road.  But when NAPE came in, they sensitized us on the importance of speaking up and resisting injustice collectively.  We formed Kaiso Women’s Group and have since advocated for women’s rights,” said Sylvia Kemigisa, a resident of Kaiso fishing village in Kabaale Sub county, Hoima district.

Daisy Kwikiriza, the Chairperson of Buliisa United Women with Disability, appreciated NAPE for specifically amplifying the voices of women with disabilities that were for long been left out amidst human rights violations caused by oil and gas industry.

“Women with disabilities are discriminated in our society and because of that, I used to fear speaking in public due to my disability but NAPE built my confident and supported us to form a group of women with disabilities which I am now heading. I thank NAPE for inclusive programs where women with disabilities are considered and respected. I now know my rights and I have taken a mantle of empowering other women with disabilities,” said Kwikiriza.

The women also appreciated NAPE for supporting them with social and economic empowerment programs.

“NAPE has given us safe spaces aimed at minimizing gender based violence cases caused by oil and gas developments. We are not only handling cases reported by women but also men who feel violated by women,” said Lucy Mbuubi, a resident of Butimba in Kikuube district.

“NAPE has helped to amplify our voices through Community Green Radio. We are organized into listeners clubs and we go to the radio often to talk about issues affecting us. This is in addition to other good programs including environmental conservation initiatives, trainings on women’s rights and economic empowerment and also safe spaces to end gender based violence in our communities,” said Beatrice Rukanyanga, the Chairperson Kwataniza Women Group.

The NAPE Board Chairperson, Ephraim Niwagaba Lemmy, appreciated NAPE’s efforts in empowering communities and amplifying their voices. He also appreciated the women leaders for committing to voluntary work in ensuring that women are organized in groups and stay together.

“I am happy that NAPE work is felt on ground. I also thank the women leaders for mobilizing their fellow women and bringing them together to fight for their rights. I am happy that your groups have withstood the threats and intimidations in pushing for women’s rights,” said Niwagaba.

Frank Muramuzi, the NAPE Executive Director said the organization is committed to building resilient communities that can engage the status quo with regard to human and environmental rights abuse. He appreciated communities for making it possible.