Global Women's Voices: An Online Dialogue

Moderator: Welcome to the Global Women's Voices chat. Please use the form above to submit your questions.

Debbie Ogden: How has WOUGNET responded to the HIV/AIDS crisis? Rehema Baguma: The Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) is an NGO committed to improving the conditions of Ugandan women by enhancing their capacity and opportunity for exchange, collaboration, and sharing of information. In relation to the HIV crisis, WOUGNET provides information on various aspects of the epidemic. These aspects range from awareness, fact-finding, available assistance to affected and infected. In relation to the HIV crisis, WOUGNET provides information on various aspects of the epidemic. These aspects range from awareness, fact-finding, available assistance to affected and infected, afflicted and also provides information to them, and also provides information to the medical personnel and other community social workers in the field. This information ranges from fact-finding and current projects running in different parts of the world for purposes of collaboration, information sharing and also upcoming events, like conferences and any available publications, like reports, statistical data. And also provides the medical personnel and community social workers recent research findings, useful statistics, publications, reports, upcoming events like conferences and current projects running in different parts of the world for purposes of collaboration, experience/information sharing.

Shoshana: Can you describe the main goals of your work or your organization's work? Rehema Baguma: WOUGNET was initiated in May 2000 by several women's organizations in Uganda to promote the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among women. Its main goal is to improve the conditions of life for Ugandan women by enhancing their capacities and opportunities for exchange, collaboration, and information sharing.

Hallie: What are some of the successes that have resulted from your work? Rehema Baguma: To date, the WOUGNET mailing list has 118 subscribers, over 60% of whom are Ugandan women (including those with women organizations in Uganda). The website features profiles on 34 women's organizations, information and documentation on topics of interest to members and the general public, and links to national and international organizations and projects. WOUGNET produces a monthly UPDATE Newsletter with information on new postings to the website and on WOUGNET activities. The newsletter goes out to members and an additional 161 subscribers (most of whom have signed on from the website). Details on upcoming conferences, workshops, training, grants and computer/internet usage are also distributed to the list and posted on the website. The WOUGNET website is a leading website providing information about and for women's organizations in Uganda. WOUGNET has become a key resource for its members and other interested partners. In addition to maintaining a website and email list, the network has opened up other opportunities for women's organizations to participate on the net. A Web Design program was set up in collaboration with InterConnection.org to develop websites for members.

rohini: What are some of the challenges you have encountered in your work? Rehema Baguma: The main challenges faced by WOUGNET members are lack of access to relevant information for their development needs, the need to create awareness about their activities in order to reach a wider audience and attract potential collaborative partners as well as a lack of/limited knowledge on the usage of ICTs. Another challenge for WOUGNET is that because we currently operate primarily online, the majority of our members are based in Kampala -- where it is relatively easier to gain internet access. However, we do have members who are based in rural areas or otherwise lack internet access, but they have contacts who have internet access and are able to serve as information conduits.

Mandy: What are some of the main challenges facing women in Uganda? Rehema Baguma: Challenges to women in Uganda mainly include: High illiteracy levels (71% that of male adults); Poverty (low incomes or no source of steady income at all); Lack of access to relevant information for their development needs; and Low involvement of girls in science fields due to lack/poor career guidance that science is a domain for men that has contributed to women's lack /limited knowledge on the usage of ICTs.

Rita: What are some of the issues unique to women in Uganda that the Women of Uganda Network deals with? Rehema Baguma: At the time WOUGNET was formed, there was no organization facilitating exchange of information among women and women organizations in Uganda, so Ugandan women had no access to important or relevant information for their sustainable development. WOUGNET managed to fill this gap by exploiting the opportunities provided by the internet and e-mail. Women lacked such information like business opportunities, support services like grants, agriculture, farm practices in different parts of the world, information about their surrounding environment, upcoming conferences, training opportunities etc.

Brook: What inspired you to tackle issues facing women in Uganda through information technology systems? Rehema Baguma: There was no such initiative at that time and in this age of technological explosion, the world is turning every day into a smaller village. We also wanted the women of Uganda to take part in this technological explosion and be part of the global village; to know what's happening in different parts of the world, participate, and also benefit from the developments around the world. It was very important for the women of Uganda to be connected to the rest of the world. Because with internet and e-mail, so many are happening, all of which are/likely to affect the lives of everyone irrespective of location. In order to benefit from everything that's happening, one has to be connected. The internet and e-mail facilitate this.

Daniel: What reception and/or obstacles have you faced in Uganda in raising awareness of these issues? Rehema Baguma: The reception has been very great. The response to this e-mail list was overwhelming and many are still subscribing. WOUGNET also decided to profile the work of women s organizations, and archive all of the information that would be posted, for future reference. This way, women s organizations have shown enthusiasm to share with each other their experiences, challenges in their different fields, and also get to know about related initiatives around the world. After formalizing the system and setting up the website, our mailing list has 118 subscribers, and 60% are Ugandan women, some of them working in women's organizations in Uganda. The website features profiles on 34 women's organizations.

Cecilia: Why do you feel that using computers/ the internet is an effective way to deal with issues facing women today? Rehema Baguma: Women's problems are almost the same all over the world, social discrimination, unfair cultural practices, women in armed conflict, unfair laws etc. just different settings. Hence its necessary to exchange ideas and experiences. The internet presents a timeless mechanism where women can quickly share stories, initiatives, successes, experiences and challenges with the rest of the world. This way women learn from each other how they can influence and improve their own situations at home.

Moderator: Thanks to our speaker and everyone who joined us for this chat. Don't forget to visit our Campaign page to take action. After the chat, continue the discussion on the FeministCampus.org Bulletin Boards! Rehema Baguma: Thanks for the organization for making this arrangement so that we can share our ideas with people from various parts of the world and various fields. I really like this initiative so much. Thank you.