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As the women’s month (March) draws to an end, Alliance Française de Kampala (AFK) — a non-profit organization that teaches the French language and promotes arts and culture — has launched an initiative to empower and uplift underprivileged women across Uganda using literature. 

The programme, part of the Fonds Médiathèque and the French Institute, has lined up a series of thought-provoking discussions centred on East African feminist literature, tailored specifically to resonate with Ugandan communities. 

The “Feminism and Literature” programme aims to connect established East African women writers and scholars with underprivileged women in Ugandan communities, fostering dialogue and empowerment through the power of literature.

The initiative will delve into three critical themes deeply relevant to Uganda, according to Laure Ginestet, the lead coordinator. 

The themes are Afro-feminism, sexism, and sexual violence, as well as health and sex education.

“For the Afro-feminism segment, we will be reaching out to the vulnerable women living in the slums of Kampala and surrounding areas. In partnership with Minority Africa, we will explore avenues of expression such as poetry with women from the slums of Kamwokya,” said Ginestet.

The next session of the programme will address issues of sexism and sexual violence. 

“We will turn our focus to the women in the Adjumani refugee camp in West Nile,” said Ginestet. 

Interactions

Refugee settlements in Uganda report rampant cases of sexual violence against women. To tackle these, AFK will open up safe spaces of expression for these women through discussion groups and writing workshops. These will be run with potential partners like the UN Women and Foundation for Human Rights Initiative.

Following the launch of the project aimed at empowering at-risk refugee populations, the programme’s next session will delve into issues affecting girls in the Kayunga district. 

“Our endeavours in health and sex education will extend to partner schools, engaging in open dialogue about menstruation and promoting sustainable solutions like reusable sanitary towels,” said Ginestet.

The intervention will be conducted in partnership with Avid Uganda’s Rehema Nanyonga. 

Avid Uganda hosts girls and teenage mothers and empowers them with skills that afford them a shot at a decent quality of life.

Each thematic session will begin with a conference at AFK led by an accomplished female author or literary scholar. These thought leaders will share their work and perspectives and also engage in insightful discussions.

Following the conferences, workshops will be held in the different communities to facilitate meaningful interactions between the celebrated authors and women from diverse backgrounds. 

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the visiting author, delve deeper into the themes explored, and share their own experiences. This exchange of ideas and lived experiences is a cornerstone of the programme, fostering a sense of solidarity and empowerment.

'Excited'

Makerere University lecturer and renowned poet Irene Mutuzo will facilitate the first workshop. Mutuzo shared her excitement, expressing her belief in the transformative power of poetry to empower women and provide a platform for their voices to be heard.

“I am excited to participate in the feminism and literature programme. Through my words and poems, I hope to ignite a sense of strength, resilience, and confidence in every woman,” she said.

“By providing a platform for women to write and tell their stories, we will enable women to articulate their experiences and find solidarity in their shared experiences."

The vision behind the Feminism and Literature project, according to AFK director Eric Touzé, aligns perfectly with the core values of the institution. 

“Guaranteeing inclusion of minority groups, such as women, is a key policy of France and the European Union,” he said.

AFK is dedicated to participating in debates on the ideas that are shaking the world. 

Touzé emphasised AFK’s commitment to fostering dialogue on critical societal issues, such as gender equality and inclusion.

At the culmination of the three cycles, a documentary showcasing the journey and impact of the initiative will be screened at the AFK media library. 

This will be followed by a debate and Q&A session with the participating authors, delving deeper into the themes of literature and feminism as tools of emancipation. 

This grand closing ceremony, open to all, is slated for July 7.