‘I will fight rape in Karamoja’
Jul 13, 2007
ANGELLA Isabella Ruth; 21, is one of the contestants in the Miss Karamoja Beauty Contest that will take place next Saturday (July 21) at Leslona Hotel in Moroto. The Second Year student of Information Technology at Makerere University, talked to <b>Pidson Kareire<b><br><br><br><b>Where do you com
ANGELLA Isabella Ruth; 21, is one of the contestants in the Miss Karamoja Beauty Contest that will take place next Saturday (July 21) at Leslona Hotel in Moroto. The Second Year student of Information Technology at Makerere University, talked to Pidson Kareire
Where do you come from?
I was born in Magoth, Rupa sub-county, Matheniko in Karamoja.
What inspired you to join the Miss Karamoja Beauty contest?
When the organisers explained the objectives of the project, I was impressed. Their objectives are community-oriented and inclined on women emancipation. I have an interest in gender issues.
So, what will you do as Miss Karamoja?
If I go through, I will work for the development of Karamoja.
It is high time we (the youth) started promoting our culture because there are many good things there.
Is there anything you would like to change about your culture?
Currently, our women prefer delivering their babies at home. That should change. We should have more deliveries in hospitals.
Secondly, I wish to help girls who are forced into marriage. In Karamoja, if a boy (warrior) wants a girl for a wife, he usually rapes her. I want to fight that.
A girl can be courted by four warriors, but instead of making a choice, she is taken by any of those boys, who rapes her.
Is that the only way to win a traditional Karimojong woman?
No. There are other decent approaches but most boys there prefer to use force.
What is beauty to the Karimojong?
Beauty is no different than here than from any other part of the world.
It is anything good; anything that appeals to man. If a woman appeals to a man, then she is beautiful.
How is your leisure like?
I listen to music and I like reggae. I also love clubbing.
What is the most annoying thing boys do?
I do not like their cheating habits and inconsistent lies.
Would you fight a man?
No. If he nags, I walk away. I am not the kind of person who fights at the slightest provocation.
Where do you come from?
I was born in Magoth, Rupa sub-county, Matheniko in Karamoja.
What inspired you to join the Miss Karamoja Beauty contest?
When the organisers explained the objectives of the project, I was impressed. Their objectives are community-oriented and inclined on women emancipation. I have an interest in gender issues.
So, what will you do as Miss Karamoja?
If I go through, I will work for the development of Karamoja.
It is high time we (the youth) started promoting our culture because there are many good things there.
Is there anything you would like to change about your culture?
Currently, our women prefer delivering their babies at home. That should change. We should have more deliveries in hospitals.
Secondly, I wish to help girls who are forced into marriage. In Karamoja, if a boy (warrior) wants a girl for a wife, he usually rapes her. I want to fight that.
A girl can be courted by four warriors, but instead of making a choice, she is taken by any of those boys, who rapes her.
Is that the only way to win a traditional Karimojong woman?
No. There are other decent approaches but most boys there prefer to use force.
What is beauty to the Karimojong?
Beauty is no different than here than from any other part of the world.
It is anything good; anything that appeals to man. If a woman appeals to a man, then she is beautiful.
How is your leisure like?
I listen to music and I like reggae. I also love clubbing.
What is the most annoying thing boys do?
I do not like their cheating habits and inconsistent lies.
Would you fight a man?
No. If he nags, I walk away. I am not the kind of person who fights at the slightest provocation.