Janice Kirabo and Rebecca Ainembabazi are two ladies that have made it their daily struggle to fight what they term as “Rape Culture” in the Ugandan society. Like most other fellow women, their struggle is on social media but unique about them, is that they’re using Facebook. It is unique because perhaps the most popular stance by women about this vice among men, has been on Twitter and was led by notably among them Sheena Bageine, a student at Uganda Christian University (UCU).
Kirabo and Ainembabazi say they’ve been so disgusted by acts of sexual harassment and rape not just because their friends have fallen victim and experienced them but because they’ve experienced the vice first hand. When the Rape List was compiled, first on Twitter, they claim they were shocked to discover that one of the occupants of the list had been a consistent women’s abuser and yet they considered him a friend.
“We met him in the bar and somehow became friendly with him. When he appeared on the list, we were dumb struck. To perhaps ensure our safety and take away all doubts, my brother told me that this man had had rape allegations brought against him every year since like 2017.” Ainembabazi told The Ugandan Wire.
Ms Ainembabazi was talking about a one Martin Mugarura that was listed on the rape list recently after several women shared their experiences with him to fellow women that they could confide in. These two are so passionate about fighting rape that they disclosed that threats on their lives, mostly issued by people they out, no longer move them.
“If we died now, I think we would die heroes because we have created discussion around a topic that would under normal circumstances not be talked about at all because of the patriarchal backgrounds of our society.” Ms Kirabo said in the interview.
The two ladies also took time to criticize fellow activists that have personalized the fight against rape and would not be seen in the struggle unless they’re getting props as the front battlers for it.
“For us, the struggle is not personal. We shall fight rape at our levels. We are actually not big people in society or NGO owners but we resolved to put in our contribution because we know what it means to be sexually harassed. We have been victims of harassment and we have friends that have been harassed so we are that resolved to ensure no one else goes through the same and if it means name shaming we shall do that because the courts and justice system have not done anything.” Kirabo added.
Ainembabazi also took time to tip women about possible tendencies of rapists that they should beware of. She says any man that doesn’t respect what you tell them in casual conversation is most likely to develop rape tendencies when they meet you in undisclosed areas.
“We appreciate the natural attraction God created and don’t fault men that do what we now call “shooting shots” but if I am not interested in a man and I tell them it is so simple for them to back off. A respectful man, if you told them respectfully that you’re not interested, always understands and they take a step back. Watch out for those men that insist claiming you’re playing hard to get and consider your No’s as Yes. Those are the ones you should keep a distance from.” She advised.
Kirabo and Ainembabazi have been in this struggle against sexual harassment from as way back as their days at Campus. To them, a calling has already shown up and they will do whatever it takes to ensure that they don’t leave the earth the same way they found it. They foresee a world where a woman is respected for their choices and not judged by the way they dress, or walk or choose to have fun.
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