CO-FOUNDER

Marilee remembers the initial conversations between her and the Isis-WICCE cofounders in 1974 Rome.

“In our kitchens, as we stirred our pots of soup and stews, Jane, Judy and I brewed our ideas. Other women dropped by to add ingredients. Some sent us spices from far away. A little salt here, a new spice there all simmered away so that in a few weeks time we were ready to share our recipe with the world.” Among the “ingredients” that went into the concept were:

• An organisation of, by and for women
• An activist orientation
• Feminist in the broad sense, encompassing all struggles to empower women
• Recognising the common elements and the diversity of women’s oppression as intertwined with class, race, and economic, political and cultural situations
• A communication channel for women, alternative to the mainstream media
• An alternative documentation and information centre focused on materials produced by women’s groups around the world
• Promoting especially South-South and South-North communication and dialogue

“From this first small group, an informal network grew up: more and more women sent in stories and resource materials and wrote about how women were organising. We added their names to our growing list, the materials to the piles of paper on the floor in one corner of the living room” Marilee adds. The heart of a resource centre began to grow.

Isis’ first publication contained a selection of testimonies and reports from the Tribunal. It came out in record time, at the end of March 1976, produced by a group of women in Rome in English, French, Spanish and Italian in 3,000 copies.

“And then it happened: women from all over started responding, sending in their publications, handouts, leaflets, posters; and asking for resource materials,” Marilee recounts.

The second issue examined the image of women in the media. The third reported on women in liberation struggles, battered women, feminism and socialism. The 1978 bulletin looked at reproductive rights and alternative medicine, women in Southern Africa, and women and work. Long before women and food security issues were seriously addressed by either the United Nations or NGOs, Isis published a bulletin on women, land and food production. Then followed the issues focusing on rape and sex tourism, and migrant women. In the early 1980s, Isis bulletins covered issues on women and the media, militarisation, peace, sexuality and motherhood, women in liberation struggles, women and new technology.

Isis coordinated the International Feminist Network which had been established at the Brussels Tribunal. Representatives in different countries sent in appeals for solidarity which Isis then transmitted to its networks for action. Isis continued this activity until well into the 1980s when many new groups began carrying out similar efforts in different fields of women’s rights.

CO-FOUNDER

On a bright October day in 1974 Jane Cottingham first broached the idea of setting up a women’s information-documentation centre, an organisation by and for women to help empower women the world over.

There were virtually no channels of information for women in the South who were organising to change women’s lives. Many women in the South rejected the appellation of “feminist,” both because of the distorted media picture and because Northern feminists were beginning by dealing with their own problems—which seemed distant from the most pressing problems facing women in the South.

Some of them (from both South and North) who had “developed an internationalist perspective” through their work and had had the opportunity to share with women in other parts of the world, sensed that “the underlying issues of patriarchy and subordination linked women across the globe.” Issues of violence, reproductive rights, work, affected women all in different ways, she thought.

Ultimately, Jane, Marilee Karl and Judy Siddens, quickly latched on to the idea that their centre would include developing a means of communication that could link women and be a means for them to share their ideas and experiences internationally, without the distortion of the male-dominated transnational-controlled press.

Women from the South were integral and active in Isis right from the start. Many of them were in exile from countries of Africa and Latin America. Some were studying in Europe. Others were working with development organisations. All had links with women in their home countries, women in liberation struggles, women organising at the grassroots. Some of their names, like Brigalia Bam, Nita Barrow, Kamla Bhasin, Roxanna Carrillo, Anita Anand, Rhoda Reddock, Magaly Pineda, Virginia Vargas, Kumari Jayawardena and Danda Prado.

Programme Officer, Finance and Administration

Emmanuel assists the Finance Manager in the management and control of Isis-WICCE’s funds and resources in line with the organization’s policies. He also supervises office logistics, office maintenance, security, vehicle and building management.

In his role, he maintains the computerized accounting system and implements internal control policies that ensure proper utilization of resources.

Outside the office, Emmanuel enjoys play football, swimming, travelling and socializing.  He is passionate about helping vulnerable people, about God and making others laugh. If Emmanuel wasn’t working at Isis-WICCE, he would be an audit associate.replicas relojes

Emmanuel has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Makerere University Business School- Kampala and will soon be a Certified Public Accountant.

Administrative Assistant

Nicole provides administrative support to staff, is responsible for office maintenance, vehicle deployment, stock management, record keeping and overall supervision of support staff and volunteers. She also receives Isis-WICCE guests and calls in addition to responding to public queries.

For Nicole, working with a feminist organization has strengthened her passion for justice and equality for all women. She values the opportunity to exercise her versatility and work as  a member of a team.

When she is not working, Nical likes to travel, network, exercise and meeting new people from all over the world.

She graduated from Uganda’s Aviation School and holds a Certificate in Customer Care and a Diploma as Cabin Crew. While in training she received a Certificate of Recognition for outstanding performance and good behaviour.

Programme Manager

Juliet leads the research team and has designed, conducted and authored nineteen of Isis-WICCE’s studies on gender, peace, security and governance in Burundi, DRC, South Sudan, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Nepal and Uganda. She also manages the organization’s monitoring and evaluation function, in addition to serving as a trainer. She designs  Isis-WICCE’s training manuals and conducts trainings . Juliet is also a counselor to colleagues, offering a listening ear and practical tips.

In her role, she is most inspired by the opportunity to have face-to-face contact, make personal connections and respond to the challenges women share when she visits their communities. Outside the office, Juliet loves to sing, dance to up-tempo music or listen to slow spiritual tunes. Ultimately she enjoys watching plays and movies- her favourites are Neria, the Zimbabwe classic on women’s rights and property rights as well as The Sound of Music, an example of a family using their talents to create peace and love.

Juliet has a bachelor’s degree in Library and Information Science (Makerere University) and M.A in Development Studies (Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi).

Exchange Programme Officer

Proscovia handles planning, implementation and tracking the progress of activities run by the Exchange Programme. Her work involves constant communication with implementing partners and field visits to follow-up on activities and aid smooth implementation. She also documents progress, maintains a database and contributes to Isis-WICCE’s fundraising efforts.

She starts each day with a prayer and a plan to ensure smooth and efficient execution of her tasks. Outside the office, Prossy loves to dance, hang out with friends and watch movies for relaxation. If she wasn’t in her current position, she would put her energy and passion into running an orphanage, a business or a home for disadvantaged teens.

Prossy has a Master’s in Public Management and Ethics, post-graduate training in Peace and Conflict Resolution, Human Resources as well as a Bachelor’s degree in the Humanities.
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Programme Officer, Finance and Administration

Emmanuel assists the Finance Manager in the management and control of Isis-WICCE’s funds and resources in line with the organization’s policies. He also supervises office logistics, office maintenance, security, vehicle and building management.

In his role, he maintains the computerized accounting system and implements internal control policies that ensure proper utilization of resources.

Outside the office, Emmanuel enjoys play football, swimming, travelling and socializing.  He is passionate about helping vulnerable people, about God and making others laugh. If Emmanuel wasn’t working at Isis-WICCE, he would be an audit associate.

Emmanuel has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Makerere University Business School- Kampala and will soon be a Certified Public Accountant.

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Information & Knowledge Management Officer

Loyce manages Isis-WICCE’s multimedia resource centre and handles the dissemination of the organisation’s information products. She is very passionate about using information and communication technologies to amplify and connect women’s voices. As such, Loyce has trained grassroots women in Eastern Uganda on how to use ICT to advance gender equality.

Loyce is also a blogger and likes to read and write reflective stories about women and their daily struggles against patriarchy.  She is a mother of three and when she is not at work, Loyce spends quality time playing with her children and enjoying their company.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Development Studies (Uganda Martyrs University), Postgraduate certificate in Research Methods and Writing Skills (Center for Basic Research) and a bachelor’s Degree in Library and Information Science (Makerere University). She has also been trained on gender and governance, human rights and women’s health, internet governance and digital security.