PRESS RELEASE: 26 November 2024: The Institute for African Women in Law (IAWL), in collaboration with the Board of Directors and Secretariat of the Ugandan Women Lawyers Association (FIDA-Uganda), vehemently condemns the sexist, personal attacks by Mr. Isaac K. Ssemakadde, President of the Uganda Law Society, directed against Ms. Jane Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Uganda.
IAWL received a video in which the President of the Uganda Law Society, Mr. Isaac K. Ssemakadde, used derogatory language to describe Uganda's female Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). In the video, Mr. Ssemakadde expressed his disapproval of the female DPP by first describing her by her reproductive organ and then as a ‘pumpkin.’ His choice of words does not only denigrate the DPP in question but also signifies how prevalent and deep-seated women’s objectification and denigration, a form of gender stereotyping, is within the legal profession and the larger society. IAWL and her partners issue this statement to denounce Mr. Ssemakadde’s disparaging remarks, which attack the dignity of a woman in leadership in law. It is a sad indictment that in these times, someone who is supposed to advance respect and protect the dignity of all lawyers– including women lawyers, stoops to the lowest levels in his conduct, ethics and integrity.Â
Gender stereotyping is one of the four focus areas of IAWL’s Gender Equality in Law Campaign (GELC), launched on July 5, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. In the IAWL Gender Equality in Law Model Policy, gender stereotyping is defined as the practice of ascribing specific attributes, characteristics, or roles to an individual woman or man by reason only of her or his membership in the social group of women or men. Gender stereotyping can be positive or negative. Negative stereotypical descriptions of women, such as those uttered by Mr. Ssemakadde, are often used to justify gender discrimination and can manifest and be reinforced in institutional and professional practices within the legal profession. Â
The recent video showing Mr. Ssemakadde’s strike at the female gender indicates how critical GELC is in creating awareness about the challenges women in law face. It reinforces the need for organizations such as IAWL to engage in advocacy to create an equitable environment for women in law and promote the activation of institutional policies that will ensure the legal profession becomes a safe space for women. We add our voice to the calls for immediate action demanding:Â
A public apology from Mr. Ssemakadde to Ms. Abodo and all women within the legal profession.Â
Disciplinary action against Mr. Ssemakadde by the decision-makers of the Ugandan legal profession.
The Uganda Law Society should take immediate and appropriate actions toward institutionalizing gender-sensitive policies, training, and programming in all its activities.Â
Join the movement for gender equality in law by supporting the Gender Equality in Law Campaign. Click the appropriate link to join :
Additional Resources for Addressing Gender Stereotypes and Biases
