BANNED!

I was disappointed to find that a production of the Vagina Monologues, that I was supposed to attend in Kampala on Saturday night in order to raise awareness about sexual violence against women, with the proceeds benefiting women’s organizations in Lira and Kitgum, has been cancelled. Actually the play has been outright BANNED by the Media Council. There were a number of articles in the paper leading up to the production this week with rumors that the government wanted to prohibit the production (citing that the author is a known lesbian, that it is intended to corrupt the social fabric of Uganda, etc.). Most have no idea what the play is even about and are simply shocked by the title, as the v-word is a big no-no in Uganda. The play has been produced in countries around the world, including in neighboring Kenya where it has enjoyed substantial success. The Kampala production was organized by four of the most respected women’s organizations in Uganda – many that I have had the pleasure of collaborating with – and clearly they would not undertake such a challenge if they did not feel it worthy. Here are some excerpts from the press release issued by the organizers, published in the local paper on Saturday (I would love to share the whole release, but it’s quite long):

“…The Host Committee, amongst many other organizations work, on a daily basis, on issues around violence against women. We see testimonies of women in conflict areas who are abused by their so-called protectors…of women who have suffered domestic violence at the hands of spouses, brothers, and uncles…of women who continue to suffer the effects of female genital mutilation and lack of protection under our laws. We work for an end to gender-based violence and discrimination within the public and private sphere. It is for these women that the play is intended…”

“It is ironic that a vast amount of energy and resources has been spent on condemning the use of the word vagina, rather than on condemning the actual violations that the play clearly addresses. This is tantamount to silencing women’s voices and is, and has always been, the major obstacle to addressing violence against women in a substantive way.”

“You may also be interested to know that in the Uganda production, there are a number of young women who have experienced sexual violence. They saw the play in Kenya and were determined to be a part of its production here. According to one, it transformed here life and she is slowly rebuilding it after her trauma.”

Blatant censorship - another indication of the challenges ahead…