CPAR Uganda Ltd

We are happy that Food Rights Alliance invited and contracted our Managing Director, Ms. Norah Owaraga, “TO MODERATE THE NATIONAL GATHERING OF WOMEN IN THE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM”; which she did on Friday, 12th April 2024.

The theme for the gathering was “WOMEN AND GIRLS LEADING AGAINST HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION”; which gathering was held at Hotel African, attended by hundreds of women in the agri-food system and from all over Uganda.

An event that was co-organized by Food Rights Alliance and its partners: Action Against Hunger, Land Net, World Vision, SNV, Action Aid, UCOBAC, SEATINI, Uganda Women Land Rights Movement, CARITAS Uganda, Katosi Women Development Trust and FIAN.

What a delight it was for women to learn from a giant in the Women’s Movement, Her Excellency Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Former Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union, who gave the Keynote Address.

Her Excellency Tumusiime’s ‘womanness’ and her wider contribution to humanity was unmistakable as she highlighted “women and girls leading against hunger and malnutrition in Uganda – the status, challenges and opportunities from history to the future.”

Her Excellency Rhoda Peace Tumusiime delivering her address and with Ms. Norah Owaraga.

What an inspiring address Her Excellency gave with plenty of food for thought. In a nutshell, it was simply mind blowing, jaw dropping and at same time motivational. Her Excellency Tumusiime, by the way, is the mother of another prolific actor in the women’s movement, Ms. Eunice Musiime, the current Executive Director of Akina Mama Wa Africa. Wow!

Massive attitude re-orientation for us, at CPAR Uganda, occurred throughout the gathering. The moderator-pre-briefing that our Managing Director had with the Executive Director Food Rights Alliance, Ms. Agnes Kirabo, set the tone. It provided us with an analytical framework that continues to enable us to focus on, to appreciate and to better celebrate women and their successes.

Case in point, the more common practice and discourse on Uganda is that which proposes a ‘problem-led solution’ as opposed to ‘solution-led solution’.

For example:

• ‘Problem-led solution’ is that which may start with lamenting “29 percent of Ugandan children under the age of five are suffering from stunting as a result of malnutrition,” and then proposing solutions on how to solve the problem of malnutrition.
• ‘Solution-led solution’ is that which may start with celebrating that 71 percent of Ugandan children under the age of five are not suffering from stunting as a result of proper nutrition; then asking how has this monumental success been achieved; using the answers to recommend and scale up best practice in order to end malnutrition.

Importantly, the gathering was a celebration of the contribution of girls and women in feeding the nation and the world at large. Ms. Kirabo in her opening remarks reminded us that 80 percent of food is produced by women. Let us celebrate this and using a ‘solution-based approach’, let us appreciate what women go through to produce food and support them accordingly.

As in, when you see food on your plate or in your cup, think about women. When taking a glass of milk or a cup of coffee with milk, think about the fact that “women dairy farmers are mostly responsible for day-to-day animal care, dairy production and processing of dairy products.”

• How much of what you pay for milk trickles down to the women dairy farmers?
• What terms of trade are women dairy farmers subjected to?
• How can you help to make sure women dairy farmers are duly paid for their value and worth recognised?

Same for other food value chains. Do you see the full role of women in your food? Make it a point to think about and to better celebrate women in the agri-food system.