Thread by @monaeltahawy

In #Uganda, female political candidates face structural & cultural obstacles & are held to a different standard compared to male counterparts. The pandemic has also presented additional hurdles with the transition to virtual campaigns. stories4humanrights.com/feminist-and-r… h/t @SharingUbuntu

“Early on, one of the key questions that my campaign team and I toyed with was how I was going to present my single-motherhood status. I told them that motherhood was a good thing, however, singleness for a woman of my age can be used against me,” @drstellanyanzi

“I have had to deal with questions like, if she cannot manage a marriage, how will she manage a constituency?” @drstellanyanzi

“I am contesting in an urban setting and the question I keep getting is whether as a young woman, I will still be marriageable enough when I get into office. The situation is even more challenging for single mothers who seek political office,” @BeckieAchom

“In political spaces, patriarchy is at its highest. The space is toxic for any young woman. There will be a lot of judgment about how you dress or look.There is no woman in the political space who has not experienced abuse because of her dressing or status or looks.” @BeckieAchom

“I am one of the loudest women I know in #Uganda. People want me to tone down and speak sweetly. They say Nyanzi is vulgar. Because I once led a nude protest, they say make sure Nyanzi comes well dressed,” @drstellanyanzi

“Men don’t like loud women...When we open our mouth to speak, it’s because we have an opinion & we demand to be noticed.Part of the violence is because men are threatened by women who dare enter the political space.They think women are taking power away from them,”@drstellanyanzi

“As a feminist, I come from a background of movement building and anger is a good thing. I cannot change my situation if I am not angry. I therefore want to say, resist and be angry until you get what you want...Resist, be angry, and take charge,” @BeckieAchom