Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)’s X community witnessed a dynamic X Chat on 28th March 2024 where women human rights defenders, journalists, gender activists, feminists and other human rights defenders convened to discuss the crucial issue: “Policies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information that affect women’s rights online.”
The panellists including Lorna Nagawa from Women’s Pro Bono Initiative, Ruth Nagudi from Media Focus on Africa and Carol Mukisa Nyangoma from Warm Hearts Foundation led the conversation that tackled various laws and policies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information that infringe on women’s online participation, their impact on women’s ability to engage in public discussions both online and offline, the essential tools and resources for female activists to navigate public spaces despite the presence of discriminatory laws and policies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, Participants also shared their experiences with some of these regressive laws and policies.
Understanding of Freedom of Expression and Access to Information
Freedom of expression is the freedom for us all to express ourselves. It is the right to be heard, to be heard, to participate in political, artistic and social life, the right to know, seek, receive and share information through any media. Most laws on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information are not specific and lack enforcement mechanisms to address online harassment and abuse of women. This has greatly hindered women human rights defenders, journalists and other marginalised groups from freely expressing themselves both online and offline.
“I understand Freedom of Expression as an assortment of entitlements which include the right to speak without fear, right to be heard as well as the right to freely seek, receive and share information across the various spaces”, a Legal Officer noted. (Tweet)
“According to me, Freedom of Expression is the right of individuals to receive and impart the information and ideas without interference from the public authorities”, Women Human Rights Defender highlighted. (Tweet)
Laws and Policies that disproportionately affect Women’s Freedom of Expression and Access to Information
The digital gender gap persists in Uganda, with women facing unequal access to the internet, digital illiteracy and under representation in policy making.Uganda’s cyber laws, particularly the Computer Misuse Act (As amended) raise concerns about women’s ability to freely express themselves, especially Women Human Rights Defenders and journalists who face harassment and online intimidation, often leading to self-censorship and restricted participation in online spaces.
A communication specialist highlighted that “The Computer Misuse Act and The Data Protection Act have been exploited to criminalise women whose private intimate images and videos leak on online platforms. Most of them are arrested and detained. The perpetrators are not brought to account”
Impact of discriminatory laws and policies on women’s ability to engage both in online and offline discussions
“If there are policies and laws that prevent women from being protected enough to have their voices and opinions heard without repercussions, it means that we shall have less representation of the female gender in society which is dangerous,” a male journalist raised a concern. (Tweet)
With the ever-evolving societal cultures in Uganda, complex and discriminatory laws and policies continue to be enacted and implemented. Some of these laws and policies hinder women’s ability to fully engage in both online and offline spaces. These discriminatory laws and policies have far-fetched effects on Women Human Rights Defenders, feminists, female journalists and other marginalised groups like Persons with Disabilities.
One of the most common impacts is self-censorship by the female victims. Women like journalists and WHRDs who tend to be vocal about issues affecting fellow women often face targeted harassment, threats and intimidation.This kind of environment results in self-censorship and greatly hinders women’s ability to engage in public discussions freely.
“These laws have largely shrunk the civic space for the women human rights defenders in Uganda. WHRDs can no longer articulate issues concerning women’s rights due to the limited and enclosed space of work,” a Women Human Rights Defender highlighted.
Awareness-raising tools and resources about the impact of discriminatory laws and policies on women’s Freedom of Expression and Access to Information
Women Human Rights Defenders, feminists and activists can employ various tools including, grassroots public awareness campaigns, use social media platforms for awareness campaigns, and secure Virtual Private Networks (VPN) such as Psiphon, Secure VPN, and Thunder VPN among others to protect themselves from online threats and harassments.
Participants shared some tools such as focus group discussions, and social media campaigns like the Pothole exhibition by Jim Spire, among others that are useful for Women Human Rights Defenders in Uganda to manoeuvre over harassment and threats.
The X chat brought together powerful women like Women Human Rights Defenders, journalists, feminists and advocates committed to the cause of gender equality. Throughout the discussion, participants shared dynamic ideas, and personal experiences with the discriminatory laws and policies on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, the impact and some of the tools individuals and organisations can utilise to raise awareness on the impact of these discriminatory laws. The discussion highlighted the urgency of involving women in policy-making processes to ensure inclusivity. Hence, it is vital to ensure women’s participation at all levels of decision-making to achieve a more equitable world.
“Engage in advocacy and lobbying efforts targeting policymakers, and government officials to reform discriminatory laws and enact protective measures for women’s rights,” an activist advised.
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Written by;
Irene Marunga Katushabe, Communications Associate
