When It First Came: Five Voices on Period Beginnings
samantha • May 26, 2025
Periods are not shameful. They are not dirty, impure, or something to hide.
And yet, for generations, we’ve been told otherwise. We’ve been taught to whisper, to conceal pads like contraband, to carry the weight of stigma in silence. That silence is not accidental, but a product of systems that have ignored, controlled, and shamed the bodies of women, girls, and people who menstruate at the cost of our dignity, health, education, and sense of self.
At Femme Forte, we believe in breaking that silence. We believe that storytelling is a form of resistance. That saying this happened to me is both personal and political. That speaking openly about our first bleeds; the confusion, the fear, the pride, and the pain is a radical act.
Every time we share our period stories without shame, we reclaim power. We tear down the walls of taboo. We remind the world that our bodies are not problems to fix, but lives to honor.
Story 1: A Quiet Warning, A Loud Awakening
I was 15 years old when I got my first period. It came suddenly, without warning, and turned an ordinary day into one I will never forget. I remember sitting in class, feeling a strange discomfort. When I went to the toilet and saw the blood, my heart dropped. Panic washed over me. I was scared, confused, and overwhelmed. I knew this day would come, but I was not prepared for that moment.
In my home, periods were not openly talked about. My mum had once sat me down and said, “When you see your period, it means your body is ready. If you have sex now, you will get pregnant.” That sentence stayed with me. It felt like both a warning and a weight.
When my period came, it didn’t feel like just a physical change. It felt like something deeper. I didn’t feel like a child anymore. I didn’t tell anyone at first. I was embarrassed and unsure. Was this normal? Was it too early? Too late? I didn’t know what to think.
Eventually, I told my mum. She nodded and reminded me again to be careful. Her words were filled with love, but also a quiet fear. It was the kind of fear passed down from mother to daughter, generation to generation. It was about protection, but also about the unknowns of growing up as a girl.
Looking back now, I wish I had prepared more. I wish we had talked more openly. My period was not something to fear. It meant I was healthy, human, and growing into a new stage of life. That day at 15 was the beginning of a journey. It started in fear, but over time, I replaced that fear with pride and strength.
Story 2: A Rumor That Stung Deeper Than Cramps
I got my first period when I was in Senior Two. It was a deeply traumatizing experience. I noticed blood while cleaning myself in the morning. Scared and confused, I couldn’t tell anyone. I had no access to sanitary pads, so I used toilet paper. I stayed out of class for three days, hiding in the toilet, trying to manage heavy bleeding and painful cramps.
Eventually, I went to the school nurse. She treated me and told me it was a normal part of growing up. I started to feel a little safer. But then, everything changed again.
Rumors spread around school that I had an abortion. I didn’t even understand what that meant. I had never been sexually active. The shame and confusion were unbearable. I felt exposed and judged. I hated that school so much that I asked my parents to transfer me. And they did.
All I needed was information, support, and privacy. Instead, I got silence, shame, and false rumors. That first period left a scar that stayed with me for years.
Story 3: A Piece of Cloth and a Lesson in Silence
I was raised by a single mother. She worked long hours and was often gone early in the morning and back late at night. I got my first period at 11 years old, in Primary Five. My mother wasn’t home. I was with my sister, who was just a bit older than me.
When I started bleeding, my sister gave me a piece of cloth. We didn’t have any pads. I was scared, but also lucky to have seen her use sanitary products before. She had explained a few things to me. School had also taught us a little about body changes. So, I understood what was happening, but I didn’t expect it to feel so painful or so emotional.
When my mum came back, I told her. She didn’t say much. She sent my sister to buy pads and told me to stay clean and not stain my dress. She didn’t ask me how I felt. She didn’t hug me. I was left with so many questions. What were those clots? Why was the flow heavy some days and light on others? No one told me.
Over time, I learned more from my sister and friends. She was the one who taught me to use painkillers. I became so afraid of staining that I started using layers of pads, cloth, and toilet paper, even though I later learned that wasn’t the best idea.
It wasn’t until recently, in my current workplace, that I finally shared my first period story. After reading “What We’re Told Not to Talk About” by Nimko Ali and listening to heartbreaking stories from colleagues, I realized something important; periods should not feel painful, lonely, or shameful. But for too many of us, they still are.
Story 4: Blood, Whispers, and Becoming
I was in Primary Seven, in boarding school, when I got my first period. It was a normal morning, until I saw blood on my bed. I froze. I knew what it was, thanks to science class, but I still panicked. I didn’t know what to do.
I pretended to be sick and stayed in bed. I wasn’t ready to face anyone. When the dorm emptied out, I told the matron. She helped me, but then she told some of the older girls. Maybe she thought they would support me. But instead, the whispers started.
They told others. I saw the glances, the giggles, the quiet talk behind my back. What should have been a private moment became a public trial. I felt humiliated. I withdrew from everyone.
That experience marked me. It wasn’t just about blood. It was about shame, silence, and being made to feel small during one of the biggest changes of my life.
Now I know better. I know that periods are natural. What isn’t natural is the way we are made to feel about them. If my story makes one person feel less alone, then it’s worth telling.
Story 5: Love, Confidence, and Valentine’s Day
I got my first period on Valentine’s Day while I was at school. I was sitting in class when I felt something warm. My pants were wet. I asked to go to the washroom. When I checked, I saw the blood. I had started my period.
Thanks to what I had learned about menstrual hygiene, I stayed calm. I went to the dormitory, cleaned up, and managed everything on my own.
Later that day, I called my mother to wish her a Happy Valentine’s Day. I also told her about my period. She was so excited. She sent me one hundred thousand Ugandan shillings. That money felt like more than a gift. It felt like love. It felt like a celebration.
My first period became a moment of joy, support, and confidence. And I will always remember it that way.
Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28)
Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed every year on May 28 to raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual health and hygiene. The theme this year, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” calls for collective action to ensure that menstruation does not limit access to education, health, or opportunity.
This message is especially urgent in Uganda, where over 1.2 million girls aged 12-18 face challenges related to menstrual hygiene management, according to the Ministry of Education and Sports. UNESCO also reports that menstruation is a leading cause of absenteeism among school-aged girls, with many missing up to 5 days of school each month due to inadequate facilities and resources.
These statistics represent real lives and stories. Stories where a lack of support, supplies, or even basic knowledge can lead to shame, isolation, and missed opportunities. For many, especially young girls, access to information and education isn’t just helpful, it’s a lifeline.
We want to hear from you. If you remember when your period first came, where you were, how it felt, and what it meant — tell us. Whether it was awkward, terrifying, empowering, or beautiful, your story matters. Send it to
info@femmeforteug.org.
The recent announcement that the United States government intends to cut future funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), invoking the Kemp-Kasten Amendment, highlights an all-too-familiar and troubling reality
I once went to the Ggaba fish market on a rainy day and the road had turned into a soupy mess. If you have been there, I do not have to describe to you the sticky black earth that became glue for a laden bicycle, bringing it down and blocking a pathway. This forced people to make their way through a food stall and in particular, to jump over some matooke. A few women, foreigners, managed to do it but I was paralysed. After standing there for a moment, I asked the lady in the stall. ‘Can I jump?’ It was the sort of question a child asks when they know they shouldn’t do something but want an adult to absolve them. She said ‘Bwoba toli Muganda, buuka.’ If you are not a Muganda, jump. The culture says simply, ‘Do not jump over food.’ I found another way. Culture dictates what can and can’t be done. It guides and protects but it can also restrain. If a cultural norm could hold me back from crossing a path, imagine one standing against a woman’s ability to own land. In Uganda, few things are as prized as land. This makes its exchange and ownership almost sacred. When land is combined with women, the temperature rises across cultures. The words ‘Our culture says women do not own land.’ are often mentioned, leaving people throwing their hands up in defeat. And yet, it is no secret that families where women are alienated from land rights see a decline in everything from nutrition, household income and education levels for children. Women in Uganda can own land by buying it. However, without a strong financial base, the only other ways are through inheritance and marriage. Where women cannot inherit family land, marriage becomes an avenue. Should a woman be unable to inherit land from her husband or if she remains unmarried, her chances of owning land reduce even further. We cannot discuss land in Uganda without looking at the word ownership. In the pre-colonial times, a lot of the land was communally owned and it still is in many places. Whereas women didn’t have ownership, they could have user rights or access rights. They could farm on and construct on the land. This has remained the case today. I did a tour of 5 tribes in Uganda to get a reading of what the different cultures really say about women and land ownership. LUGBARA, THE TEREGU What culture used to say: As head of a family, a man can take a decision like selling his wife’s land without her permission. The advent of colonialism gave women of the Teregu tribe the semblance of a voice. Now they could report their errant husbands to the Local Councils and to the police. Enough husbands were imprisoned that it became a point of concern for the elders. Together with the chiefs, the elders sat down and put a curse in place to curb this practice. Should a woman ever report her husband to a civil court, she would suffer supernatural consequences. This is known as the Aruba practice. It was an effective deterrent and it became part of the culture. Unfortunately, since the men knew that they were insulated, it led to a repeat of the maltreatment women were reporting in the first place; including acts like selling land a woman had bought for herself with impunity. What culture says now: Fast forward to the 2000’s and once more the chiefs and elders sat down and scrutinized the situation and found it to be unfair to women. To make things more equitable, they decided to undo the curse that had tied women's hands. After some sacred rites, it was declared okay for a woman to report a man with no fear of harm befalling her. This means that it is no longer acceptable for a man to, for instance, sell his wife’s land without her consent. However, some people ignore the updated cultural edict, and choose to follow what was done in the colonial times. Their excuse is that ‘Our culture says…’. TOORO What ‘they’ say culture says : “Women are free to own land.” “We do not give women land.” Among the Batooro, there is equity. Still, others whisper that they do not give women land. This is an example of people modifying culture to serve their interests. What culture really says: Women in Tooro can and do own land and it can be attained through inheritance. Grandparents for instance can give land to either female or male grandchildren. This is however more respected when this gifting is documented or is mentioned publically. In the absence of that, males tend to be given higher consideration when land is being shared. Upon the passing of a father, it is not uncommon for the family home to be left to the widow and his daughters and not the sons. One daughter of Tooro mentioned that her late father has 3 heirs; 2 daughters and a son. All decisions about the estate are taken by the trio and this is not frowned upon customarily. I spoke to women who had themselves inherited land from their fathers and knew several others. While there are families who opt to only have male heirs and males owning land this is a personal choice and doesn’t appear to have cultural backing. Additionally, there is no social barrier should a woman wish to buy land. No one will ask her ‘where she got the money.’ Tooro culture today Marriage used to be the only avenue for women to get land but the thinking around marriage has changed, and this has in turn shifted the thinking around land rights. Some women do not marry, others freely end marriages they are unsatisfied with. This phenomenon has led parents to think about the future of their daughters. “It is no longer just about the boy, people have realized that when parents die, their girls suffer. And if your children suffer then you have not died peacefully,” said one mother. Today parents are taking steps to leave assets to both girls and boys and this is something that is respected in the culture. In addition, women are more enlightened and can ask questions when they are left out of land sharing. ACHOLI What culture says: Girls and women do not inherit family land. Mothers however are conduits for their children, specifically boy children to own land. In Acholi, as in many other places in Uganda, polygamy is a common practice. Here, a husband may allocate different portions of land to different wives. When Akello got married, her husband gave her land on which to raise their children. When he passed away, Akello retained that land and was able to build on it as well as grow crops and rear some animals. When her co-wife’s son, Ocen, tried to seize Akello’s land, she ran to the elders. They pointed to Ocen and said. ‘This is not your land. Your father gave your mother the other land, you should inherit that.’ At this point, the elders realised that mothers, despite not having full land rights themselves, were conduits for their children, specifically boy children, to own land. For this reason it was important to include women in the land conversation. Should a mother have only girls, their sons, her grandchildren would inherit that land. Once more, this made marriage a key area for a woman to gain stability. There was no consideration put in place for a woman should she leave her marriage. Some families however welcome women to return to the parental home should a marriage end or should their daughter become a widow. Culture today Benevolent fathers or brothers can offer daughters and sisters land user rights but there are limits to what she can do with the land. While this is one of the best case scenarios, having user rights alone is untenable. Women in this situation need to ask for permission to fully benefit from the land. They live in uncertainty because the owners can change their minds at will. Women across the country are encouraged to embrace user rights and perhaps use them to earn money to buy land they can own fully. Today, a father or mother in Acholi may decide to give their daughter land outright. And if she has the money, she may buy herself land. However, depending on the society she finds herself in, it might be easier for her to front a male as the buyer and secretly own the land. In the recent past, the certificate of customary ownership has become popularised. It allowed all family members/owners, without excluding the women, to be documented. Despite this, some families have chosen to go against it and not include women. A saying in Acholi is cited “Ceere pat pat”, literally meaning; “Even though we are one tribe, what happens on that hill isn’t normal to this one.” For instance; Just because you choose to give your daughters land, doesn’t mean I should do the same. BUGANDA What ‘they’ say culture sa ys: “In our culture, a woman does not inherit land. In our culture, a woman does not inherit her husband’s land. It can only be inherited by their children. In the absence of said children, the land reverts to the man’s larger family.” What culture says: Traditionally, neither men nor women owned land, all land belonged to the Kabaka. Instead, they had user rights. With colonialism came private land ownership and for reasons of society and economics, it was men who were primed to take advantage of this. However, no law barred them from giving land to their daughters and some did, allowing women to own land outright. Women could also inherit land from their other relatives. Prior to that, a woman could also gain land user rights through marriage. These rights were predicated on the husband’s life. Upon his death, her brothers would come to take her back to her family of birth. However, it was important that her children who are considered to be of the father’s clan be taken to their father’s people. If the widow did not remarry, or if a daughter had never married, she would stay on her father’s or brother's land and would have land user rights until her death. It was generally understood that women should not be dispossessed. When it came to inheritance, a man would have 2 heirs, a male and a female co-heir called the Lubuga. This could be a sister or niece and the two worked hand in hand. Likewise, a woman would have 2 heirs. The advent of colonialism and western religions undermined the existence of the Lubuga for men, greatly exalting the primary male heir. It is also important to note that Baganda can make a distinction between heirship. Omusika owomusayi (of the blood line) and Omusika ow’ebintu (an heir to the property). Omusika owomusayi stands in the place of the deceased and takes over their responsibilities. For instance, the musika for a father would perform the duties of the father, essentially becoming a father to the late’s children. However, omusika ow’ebintu, of the property, including land, can be either male or female, especially in more modern times. In Buganda today, a woman can inherit land from her father, her mother, her relatives, her husband and she may buy land for herself. I found some parents who prefer that daughters inherit the family property. They feel that girls take better care of property and are deemed more sentimental to their parents’ legacy. BAGWERE What culture said: T here isn’t a well-documented literature of the Bagwere culture and traditional perspective so some norms were borrowed. But when it comes to land ownership, customarily, daughters were not given a share of land. Women owned land by buying it or via marriage. The latter is a major reason why daughters were not catered for in family land sharing. There was a belief that she would be taken care of by her husband and that if she was given land, she would take away what was considered one family’s wealth and give it to another. This belief cuts across all the tribes I interacted with. However in reality, across all tribes, women would actually not get land from their husbands, the land was reserved for their male children, if at all. Among the Bagwere, a widow was entitled to a share of her late husband’s land to do with as she pleased but it is unclear if she had full ownership rights. If a marriage ended, her father or the head of the family might give her land to live on but this was and is not mandatory. What culture says now: Then as now, there were cases where a family head gave land to his daughters. The culture has evolved its thinking to the point that now daughters can be installed as heirs for their fathers. However, the heir is not meant to sell the land but keep it for family use. The same applies even if the heir is male. Barring any of the above, in some families, girls are assertive enough to stand up and demand for a share if they are left out in family land distribution. In researching this story, I found culture to be like an endless onion. One layer reveals another and another and another. It was impossible to condense it. However, there were 3 stand outs: The first being that culture is not static. As with the Lugbara, it can shift to solve an issue and shift again to solve yet another one. I learnt that by and large, people will do what makes them most comfortable, physically and psychologically. Some people will look at culture and choose not to follow it…they will say, ‘I know our culture thinks I should not, but I will give my daughter this land.’ Others will say, ‘Culture says I should let my brothers’ widow retain his property but I will not.’ Second, I learnt that because our cultures are not well documented and are passed on orally there is room for distortion. But to that point, unlike the western legal system we inherited, cultural landmarks are not laws that one will be punished by. Just like at the Ggaba market, no one was there to arrest me if I skipped over the food, but I could not do it. Lastly, I learnt that culture is an ongoing conversation. By virtue of people being representatives of culture, it means that culture is alive and living things change. So is culture to blame for women’s land disenfranchisement? You be the judge. This story was written by Anne Kirya and supported by the FOTEA and OXFAM Stories4Change program. Illustrations by Shem Kamba. It was written in consultation with people from different cultures; mothers, fathers, grandparents, grandchildren, elders, sons and daughters. Adomati Aldo, Maria Ndagire Kirya, Richard Kirya, Kamba Saleh, Mrs. Nyakana, Kenyana Anne, Christina Kaijabwangu Ebinu , Sunday Akumu, Jimmy Ochom, and David F.K Mpanga.
The interplay between civil society and technology in Uganda's electoral context presents both challenges and opportunities. As the 2026 elections approach, it is imperative for stakeholders to collaborate in fostering a digital environment that promotes transparency, inclusivity, and democratic participation while safeguarding against potential abuses of power. Through concerted efforts, Uganda can harness the potential of technology to strengthen its democratic processes and civic engagement. Think about it, as Uganda approaches its 2026 general elections, the intersection of civil society and technology has become increasingly significant. Civil society organizations (CSOs) are now more than ever leveraging digital tools to enhance civic engagement, promote transparency, and advocate for democratic reforms. Simultaneously, the government's approach to digital regulation and surveillance has raised concerns about the balance between national security and civil liberties. Let’s together explore the evolving landscape of civil society and technology in Uganda, highlighting key developments, challenges, and opportunities as the nation prepares for its next electoral cycle. We shall dive right into the various digital initiatives contributing to conscientization of citizens and holding government accountable. Ugandan civil society has embraced technology to foster greater citizen participation and governmental accountability. Some notable initiatives include: Parliament Watch Uganda: this platform monitors parliamentary proceedings and disseminates information to the public, enhancing legislative transparency. The Citizen Report : By promoting a civically engaged public, The Citizen Report aims to cultivate well-informed communities where both leadership and citizens are equipped with knowledge of their responsibilities to each other and their society. U-Report: Launched by UNICEF Uganda in 2011, U-Report is a mobile-based platform that engages youth in national dialogues through SMS polls on various social issues. Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET): Established in 2000, WOUGNET empowers women through ICTs, focusing on digital literacy, online safety, and advocacy against online gender-based violence. Among many other initiatives, and now with the increased usage of social media and all her platforms, society has been provided with alternative spaces for discourse, especially among the youth, who constitute a significant portion of the population. Social media platforms like Tik Tok, Facebook, Twitter (now X), and WhatsApp have become vital tools for political mobilization and civic engagement in Uganda. These platforms have been instrumental in organizing protests, sharing information, and fostering community discussions on governance and human rights, social media has become a civic space! Social Media Regulation The Ugandan government has announced plans to regulate social media ahead of the 2026 elections, citing concerns over misinformation and national security. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, stated that new policies and technologies would be introduced to monitor and control digital communication platforms. While the government asserts that these measures aim to prevent the spread of false information, critics argue that such regulations could suppress freedom of expression and silence dissenting voices. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) also plans to acquire advanced digital monitoring technologies, including AI-powered tools, to filter harmful content online. These systems are expected to identify hate speech, incitement, and misinformation, with capabilities for real-time monitoring of high-traffic social media channels. While the government emphasizes user safety, civil society groups express concerns about potential overreach and infringement on digital rights. That’s not all. The Electoral Commission of Uganda is already facing challenges in implementing a mandatory biometric voter system for the 2026 elections. Issues include low participation in voter register updates, technical and logistical hurdles, and concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement. Experts warn that without adequate preparation and voter education, significant portions of the electorate could be excluded from the voting process. So what does all this mean for civic space and organizing? Civil society organizations must advocate for expanded public consultation and transparency in the implementation of biometric systems. They ought to emphasize the need for inclusive processes that consider the technical, financial, and social implications of such technologies to ensure electoral integrity and public trust. It is very clear that the government's efforts to regulate digital spaces raise critical questions about balancing national security with individual freedoms. While combating misinformation is essential, it is equally important to safeguard freedom of expression and prevent the misuse of surveillance tools for political repression, but at what and whose cost ? There is a pressing need to enhance digital literacy among citizens to navigate the complexities of the digital information landscape. Civil society can play a pivotal role in educating the public about digital rights, online safety, and critical evaluation of information sources, as they already have been doing - so why does the journey seem far from ending? While this dance takes shape and everyone slowly finds their footing, let us all be reminded that ensuring safe and practical technological advancements in the electoral process with inclusivity is vital. Special attention should be given to marginalized groups, including women, rural populations, and persons with disabilities, to prevent digital divides from exacerbating existing inequalities. And while all that is happening, will technology save us this election cycle or make things worse? Think about it! Article by Penelope Sanyu
In the hills of Mbale, a foreign company builds a factory. The community loses its water source. In Kampala, a social enterprise struggles to scale because funding only follows profit. The pattern is clear: capital is flowing, but impact is not. In Uganda, investment is not new. Capital has always found fertile ground here. But the question is no longer whether we are attracting investment. It’s whether the investments we attract are building communities, or simply extracting from them. Impact investment offers an alternative; a model that marries financial return with measurable social and environmental outcomes. Yet in our local context, where traditional investment models still reign supreme, this approach remains misunderstood, underutilized, and sometimes outright ignored. Traditional investments in Uganda concentrate in high-return sectors that often benefit the few at the expense of the many. Real estate and construction have transformed Kampala’s skyline, but these developments frequently exclude low-income communities and drive up the cost of living. In extractive industries like oil, gas, and mining, profit margins soar while the communities closest to these resource zones are displaced, under-compensated, and left worse off than before. Large-scale commercial agriculture has expanded, often through foreign direct investment, but local farmers are pushed to the margins. Land grabbing, loss of biodiversity, and exploitative labor practices are recurring themes. Meanwhile, microfinance institutions and traditional banks lend at high interest rates, trapping borrowers in cycles of debt. Import-driven trade, though profitable, does little to empower local industries, and infrastructure deals under public-private partnerships often prioritize returns for the private sector over access and affordability for citizens. The result? A lopsided development trajectory: profitable on paper, extractive in practice. Impact investment disrupts that narrative. It is not philanthropy dressed as finance; it is intentional capital that asks harder questions. Can we generate returns while reducing maternal mortality? Build solar grids that deliver both power and profit? Empower women entrepreneurs and still grow the bottom line? Globally, the impact investment movement is expanding. From climate-smart agriculture in India to affordable housing in Latin America, investors are realizing that doing good does not have to come at the expense of doing well. But in Uganda, this ecosystem is still young. Awareness is low. Platforms for social entrepreneurs are few. Incentives for community-aligned investing are even fewer. And yet the need has never been greater. Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. Youth unemployment, gender inequality, and the climate crisis are not just development challenges, they are investment opportunities waiting to be redefined. Social enterprises are emerging, civil society organizations are innovating at the grassroots level, and women are leading informal businesses with grit and grace.
When we hear the word “wellness,” images of green juices, yoga mats, and solo getaways often come to mind. But for African women, wellness is something much deeper. It’s not just about spa days or self-help books. It’s about survival, liberation, and creating space to breathe in a world that rarely pauses for us. Wellness, for many African women, is an act of resistance. It means fighting for access; to quality healthcare, mental health support, reproductive services, and safe maternal care. Far too often, we carry the emotional, physical, and financial load for our families and communities, with little support in return. Prioritizing our health is not a trend. It’s a radical claim to our right to exist fully and freely. Economic stability is not just a pillar of wellness. It’s a foundation for freedom. The ability to earn a living, own property, and make independent financial decisions gives African women the power to build lives on their own terms. It’s about more than survival. It’s about agency. With economic autonomy comes the capacity to prioritize health, escape cycles of exploitation, and invest in personal and generational growth. It’s a kind of security that strengthens not just the body, but the mind and spirit too. And rest? It’s essential. We’re often celebrated for being strong, but strength without softness leads to burnout. The “strong Black woman” trope may sound empowering, but it can also be isolating. True wellness is about giving ourselves permission to stop, to heal, and to feel joy without guilt. It’s about choosing rest as a form of resistance and joy as a form of healing. At the heart of it, wellness for African women is about wholeness. Physically. Mentally. Financially. Spiritually. It’s about dismantling the systems that keep us in survival mode and building communities where we are seen, supported, and celebrated. We deserve more than survival. We deserve to thrive. By Hellena Sakisa
On March 7, 2025, we gathered for a moment that was both historic and deeply personal—the launch of the Virtual Museum of African Feminists. This museum is more than a digital archive; it is a testament to the resilience, brilliance, and activism of African feminists throughout history. At the heart of this moment was Penelope Sanyu, the Chief Steward of Femme Forte Uganda, whose powerful speech captured the spirit of the museum and the movement it represents. Her words reminded us why this space is necessary, why our stories matter, and why we must continue to fight for visibility, justice, and liberation.
A Museum that Feels Like Home - By Penelope Sanyu
Kampala, Uganda - February 2025 Femme Forte Uganda is thrilled to announce the launch of Her Virtual Museum of African Feminists, a groundbreaking digital platform dedicated to honoring the legacies of feminist icons across Africa. The museum, set to be unveiled on March 7, 2025, ahead of International Women’s Day, stands as a tribute to the sheroes who, in many ways have and continue to pave the way for gender justice and a more equitable society. Rooted in the wisdom and resilience of siblings who came before us, this museum is a space to celebrate movement wins, amplify feminist narratives, and collectively build upon the foundations of liberation laid by African feminists throughout history. Rather than merely drawing inspiration from existing frameworks, the initiative recognizes the urgent need to create alternative feminist knowledges, ones that center African art, realities, experiences, power, and radical imaginations. Initially conceived as a data bank of African feminist icons and their work, this gift has evolved into a virtual museum to provide an interactive, engaging, and immersive experience. “This museum is more than a digital archive; it is a living, breathing testament to the power of African feminist’s past, present and future,” said Penelope Sanyu, Chief Steward at Femme Forte. “By curating these stories, we not only honor our sheroes but also commit to expanding and strengthening feminist and allied movements that love and support women.” Key Features of the Virtual Museum: Interactive exhibits: Engaging storytelling through multimedia presentations on African feminists and their contributions. Educational resources: Curated materials for students, educators, and activists to deepen their understanding of African feminist movements. Accessible design: Ensuring inclusivity and seamless engagement for a global audience. Why Launch Before International Women’s Day? The timing of the launch is strategic, aligning with International Women’s Day to spotlight the importance of inclusion and feminist leadership. The museum represents Femme Forte’s offering to the broader feminist movement, a digital archive preserving the contributions of African feminists for future generations. Launching a day before International Women’s Day 2025, the museum is Femme Forte’s contribution to the global feminist movement. It serves as a digital monument to the legacies of African feminists, ensuring their contributions are preserved, celebrated, and serve as a catalyst for future generations of changemakers. The Virtual Museum of African Feminists will be accessible online at https://bit.ly/3DOCVNv . About Femme Forte Femme Forte is a feminist organization dedicated to movement building by championing body rights and integrity, economic inclusion, and transformative feminist leadership in Uganda. Through advocacy, education, and innovation, Femme Forte strengthens intergenerational pathways between young and older feminists who aspire to contribute meaningfully to the broader women’s movement in Uganda and beyond.
The global gag rule, officially known as the Mexico City Policy, is not just a policy; it is a deliberate attack on bodily autonomy, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and the feminist movement at large. It is a political tool wielded to control the choices, voices, and futures of women and marginalized communities, particularly in the Global South. When the policy is in effect, it blocks international organizations from receiving U.S. global health funding if they so much as provide information about abortion even with their own, non-U.S. funds. This is not just a matter of financial restrictions; it is a suppression of knowledge, agency, and power. Power and Control: Who Holds It and Who Suffers? First implemented in 1985, the global gag rule has been a political pendulum, reinstated by Republican presidents and rescinded by Democratic ones. Over the decades, its impact has only grown more severe. The most devastating expansion came in 2017, under the Trump administration, casting an ominous shadow over global health systems. The policy was no longer just about restricting funding for abortion-related services; it cut off support for a broad spectrum of essential health services, including U.S. global HIV (under PEPFAR) and maternal and child health (MCH) assistance. As of January 25, 2025, President Donald Trump has reinstated the policy. It is, at its core, about power. Who holds it? Who enforces it? Who is stripped of it? Power is in the hands of policymakers, primarily wealthy, conservative men in the U.S. government who make decisions that shape the reproductive destinies of millions of women across the world. They dictate what can be said, what services can be provided, and who is deemed worthy of care. This is not about protecting life; it is about maintaining control over women's bodies, particularly those in the Global South, where foreign aid is often a lifeline for essential healthcare services. Power is also in resistance. Feminists, activists, healthcare workers, and grassroots organizations continue to fight back, despite the chilling effect of the gag rule. Every time this policy is reinstated, we see a rise in unsafe abortions, a surge in unintended pregnancies, and a setback in access to contraception because banning organizations from using even their own, non-U.S. funds to provide abortion services or advocate for reproductive rights doesn’t eliminate abortion; it only drives it underground. And yet, we persist. The right to decide what happens to our bodies is not up for negotiation. As we wait for a future progressive government to revoke this policy again, the damage is already being done. Delays in action are not neutral; they actively harm the feminist movement and the right to bodily autonomy that we fight for. Think about it: Comprehensive sexuality education programs are losing funding, leaving young girls without access to critical knowledge about their bodies and rights. Feminist health initiatives that provide contraception, post-abortion care, and maternal healthcare are shutting down or scaling back due to financial constraints. Advocacy organizations are being silenced, unable to speak openly about abortion rights without jeopardizing their entire operations. Community health workers, often women, are losing jobs, cutting off local access to trusted sources of reproductive healthcare. These are not just abstract losses; they are direct assaults on the feminist movement’s ability to empower, educate, and protect. Break the Gag: A Call to Action The global gag rule must not only be revoked; it must be permanently abolished. We cannot continue this cycle where every change in U.S. leadership dictates the fate of women's healthcare worldwide. Feminist organizing, advocacy, and pressure have forced reversals before, and they will again. But we must demand more than temporary fixes. What can we do? Raise our voices on social media, in our communities, and through every available platform. Silence only serves the oppressor. Support feminist organizations that continue to provide SRHR services despite financial challenges. Pressure our governments to fund SRHR independently, reducing reliance on U.S. aid that comes with strings attached. Educate and engage because knowledge is power, and power is what they fear most. We will not be gagged. We will not be silenced. We will fight for choice, for power, and for the feminist future we deserve. Article by Samantha Agasha and Hannah Stacey Baluka Reference List: Abortion. (2024, May 17). World Health Organization. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion Global gag rule: How U.S. aid is threatening health and speech worldwide. (2019, April). Open Society Foundations. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/explainers/what-global-gag-rule Impact of the Trump administration’s global Gag rule on sexual and reproductive health in Uganda. (2022, December 13). Guttmacher Institute. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/impact-trump-administrations-global-gag-rule-sexual-and-reproductive-health-uganda Trump administration reinstates the global gag rule in a setback for health, gender equality, and human rights. (2025, January 25). Centre for Reproductive Rights. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://reproductiverights.org/trump-administration-reinstates-global-gag-rule/
