On August 14, 2005, Voices of Women hosted an insightful panel discussion at the La Jolla Library, moderated by board member Anne Hoiberg on Women and Rights in Uganda.

The three panelists were: Marilyn Fowler of US Women Connect, the honorable Annette Mukabera (member of the Ugandan Parliament) and Attorney Lydia Bakaki.

Anne Hoiberg provided an update of Beijing +10. A few facts are: the world population is currently 6.3 billion. Of that number, 1.2 billion live on less than $1.00 per day. The Millenium Goal, set at the UN, plans to cut that 1.2 billion in half by 2015. 20,000 women in San Diego County per year are victims of domestic violence. 191 countries have ratified a conference on the Girl Child. Anne is working with a collaboration of women to write a statement re women's domestic relations to protect women.

Lydia Bakaki advised that the women of Uganda are organizing themselves politically, however while they can obtain a Cabinet position, they are not provided with the funds to run the office. Lydia was part of the Constitution writing process. Men and women in the US need to lobby for rights in Uganda. Many women are not safe in their own homes, and do not have property rights. Land must become a family land title, then women will be protected. Ugandan people who are poor, but who live and are fed off their land cannot officially be included in the 1.2 billion who live on $1 per day.

Annette Mukabera explained that the Constitution in Uganda is 10 years old. One third of elective positions in the Parliament are filled by women (298 males/74 females), however, they are not afforded the same rights as men.

Annette discussed HIV-Aids in Uganda. In 1986 President Moseveni introduced ABC; Abstince, Being Faithful, Condoms. There are many difficulties wit this program, culturally and faith-based. Because of the death rate, children as young as six are heading households.

In1995 when statistics were first collected, 6% of the population was diagnozed with HIV-AIDS. Anti-retroviral drugs in Uganda are the equivalent of $US15.00 per month. "You cannot bring peace to a nation when the workforce is dying." Rape of women is high in Uganda, the female Vice President was raped.

March 2006 is set for the Presidential elections. We need to educate ourselves in the United States about the status of women and children if repression of their rights continues.