Do they know about the African Union Summit
I said goodbye to Him yesterday (Sunday 18th July 10) and wondered how much more of this separation I can take, we never seem to be on the same 
continent at the same time for long enough to say hello! This time he is off to Kampala Uganda for African Union Summit that starts on 19th July through to 27th July.
As an organisation the African Union (AU) is supposedly a unifying force for African countries but some amongst have wondered what role it actually plays and whether it is any better than the Organisation of African Union (OAU) that came before it.
The clout of the AU will be tested this coming week in many ways than one! Last Sunday 11th July at least 76 people were in killed in two locations in Kampala Uganda as they watched the world cup. The FBI flew in promptly and removed injured USA citizens to nearby Kenya and South Africa, sadly one of them a young man ( Nate ) some of my associates knew really well died in the bombings. I understand that at least 20 people have since been arrested in connection with the bombings
I suspect that the issue of security will be at the top of their agenda. But I do wonder whether the AU has got what it takes to ensure that the Somali problem is sorted once and for all? For whilst Somalia continues to be a failed state all African countries will be affected in one way or another especially East Africa.
Back to the heading of this blog, DO THEY KNOW ABOUT THE AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT? Who are they?
The theme for this (15th AU)Summit is “Maternal, Infant and Child Health”
A little published but vital statistic is that many African women die in child birth at such an alarming rate that has been compared to 1900 Britain. Modern day diseases like HIV and AIDS have compounded this issue as infected women pass the virus to unborn children. What might surprise you is this is preventable if the infected woman has access to the right medication. This makes me angry really angry. Will the the sort of woman likely to face this situation be invited to the AU summit to voice her concerns or represent herself? Chances are they will hail in some expert with lots of academic letters behind his /her name and them millions!
Without access to proper medical care these women face dangerous situations and most do not survive them. Any woman that has had a child and is reading this will know what I am talking about.
Civil Wars
This is another reason why a pregnant woman may not access medical care during child birth. Will the AU resolve to end civil wars and do what ever it takes to improve peace and stability so that women never have to die in child birth because of civil wars.
This is personal- I too was caught up in a civil war whilst pregnant, our village was cut off and I was unable to attend any antenatal clinics, I was fortunate that my step mother whom I lived with was a qualified nurse in addition that I had an easy pregnancy. But if something had gone wrong( beyond her medical training) then what ? I hadn’t caused the civil war but here I was paying the price! It saddens me to report that 24 years on this situation is very true for some African women.
If you really want to know why I am passionate about these issues, the answer is simple I HAVE BEEN THERE!
Him indoors has clear instructions from me to speak out for these women at the summit but I will stop here as I am actually in tears as memories of that time have been stirred up!
About IdaHornerFounder of Ethnic Supplies a social enterprise working to alleviate poverty amongst East African women involved in textile and handicraft production. Managing Editor of Africa on the blog
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Very moving, Ida, and yet another example of man's inhumanity to man (or in far too many cases, women). I'm sure it's a sexist misconception on my part, but I can't help wondering how different the world might be if the power and decision-making – globally – really did include men and women equally.
Twitter: evenbreak
Him Indoors will complete his mission with aplomb and diplomacy, these women will have a voice. I wonder just for a moment, how much better these governments would be if they were made entirely of women?
Sending a hug, absence makes the heart grow fonder xxx and you both do tremendous amounts of work to help make life in Africa better.
The inequality that exists in the world sadly affects children and women more as generally they like a voice and the political clout to influence any decisions that affect them directly
Thank you Sarah.
It really sadness me that some of this stuff has simple solutions but there is a lack of commitment on the part of those in charge to effect change in a way that is meaningful to folk on the ground. There appears to be people making big plans without due regard to the women and children at the bottom of society.
If we can help one or two women it would have been worthwhile
“If we can help one or two women it would have been worthwhile”
Yes, it will but why not keep your vision huge, Ida? You didn't start Ethnic Supplies to help just one or two women, did you?
You want the last three years' investment in Ethnic Supplies to mean more to more people, don't you? Do you have more success stories you could share with us here?
We have Birds with PR experience: Couldn't something be worked out – tips they could give you; introductions that could be made?
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
Oh absolutely Linda! must admit to being overwhelmed sometimes that my vision doesn't extend beyond 1 or 2 women.
Contacts/introductions would be absolutely welcome so would helping me to focus on why I started this and why I must see the bigger picture!
Thank you so much for articulating my vision in your last blog
Heart rending and distressing that this is still the case. And as you say Jane, you can't help but wonder how much more progress would be made if there were more equality at a leadership level.
Ida you do a fantastic job both in real terms in helping to address the issues and in the way you continually and so articulately highlight the problems.
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Thank you Jane. It is indeed distressing that after all the money the throw at Africa nothing changes in real terms for some folk out there. I am currently reading an interesting book by William Easterly called THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN and he put this down to the fact that the politicians and civil servants who come up with the funding ideas/allocate this funding do not engage with those that actually do the work on the ground to learn from what works and build on it. This does not surprise me as this is how community projects are handled here in the UK. Look at the Education schemes- no Grammar schools, Academies are better, or let's put citizens in charge of their schools and so on so forth
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