Maama Watali Origin Story
Maama Watali meaning “in the absence of a Mother” is an Ottawa-based, Black-led nonprofit organization with an international reach. Though Maama Watali was officially incorporated in 2012, though it had been operating for many years prior in support of Black Women and their families as they navigate rebuilding their social and economic lives after personal loss and gender-based violence.
The genesis for the organization stemmed from the loss of the founder’s mother, Ms. Manjeri Nakitende, who passed away in Mulago Hospital, Kampala in December 2007. Her home was a world away from Canada, in the mainly agricultural town of Luweero in the central region of Uganda, East Africa[i]. An area remembered as the “Luweero Triangle”, the epicenter for the brutal counterinsurgency that took place by the government of Milton Obote, known as the Luweero War or the “Bush War” in the early to mid-1980s when thousands of civilians lost their lives. The combination of the war and HIV/AIDs pandemic resulted in many children left orphaned. With tenacity and resilience Ms. Namulindwa, who found herself an adult orphan, embraced the other orphans with Maama Watali as their anchor.
Since then, the organization has successfully undertaken several projects including the creation of a library in the town through book donations from Ottawa residents, the generosity of the Rotary Club, and transportation companies ensuring safe delivery of educational materials. Women, their families, and local teachers now have the resources to create and support a learning environment in the community.
In Ottawa, Ms. Namulindwa drew upon her personal experience partnering with a collective of other women to support women and families facing personal loss or gender-based violence. She worked to increase awareness of women’s fundamental human rights. Along with the collective of women, she worked to educate women of African, Black, and Caribbean roots, Canadian or immigrant born, and living within the Canadian diaspora to own and live the true meaning of the United Nations[i] many instruments governing women’s’ rights as human rights. The rights of equality between men and women are among the most fundamental guarantees of human rights. These rights are part of Canadian law, including the right to protection from the law against all forms of gender-based violence either in the private or public sphere.
This means the right to say NO, MEANS NO.
Gender-based violence is one of the most prevalent human rights violations of our time. Maama Watali was founded to support survivors and build awareness of the challenge’s women, especially Black women continue to face.
Our Vision
To give voice to the lives of Black women in all its dimensions.
Our Goals
- To build awareness of the challenges encountered by women of African descent, Black and Caribbean living in Canada and the diaspora
- To create a safe and culturally sensitive environment where women of African descent can voice their concerns regarding all forms of gender bias, abuse or harassment within their personal or professional lives
- To educate women of African descent, Black and Caribbean in Canada on the value and meaning of the UN’s declaration of Women’s Rights Are Human Rights (Beijing 4th World Conference September 5,1995 Speech by Former First Lady of the United States, Hillary Rodham Clinton)
- To disseminate information and provide access to resources to protect the rights and voice of Black women
- To create a setting where lasting solutions are generated through public policies and practice
Our Objectives
- To host Community forums and discussions
- To work with partners to provide culturally appropriate peer mentoring, personal and professional workshops
- To be a direct support and information source in helping to identify certified counselors, coaches, and psychotherapists as well as other service providers
- To be active listeners in supporting and empowering positive change in the lives of Black women and their families
Our Team
Anne Clarke
Anne Clarke has over 25 years of experience supporting public policy, international development, human rights advocacy, and change management initiatives.
Ms. Clarke has consulted with Agriculture Canada, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women and the Canadian Union of Public Employees among others.
Internationally, Ms. Clarke has worked in Belize as a gender expert, advisor and trainer; and to Jamaica where she partnered with the Office of the Former Prime Minister of Jamaica/Bureau of Women’s Affairs to develop programs and policies to address gender-based issues such as equity and violence.
Career highlights include roles as a legislative researcher, policy analyst, and advisor with the Canadian Government, as well as significant governance experience with Cuso International, The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy and the National Capital Alliance on Race Relations.
Susan Namulindwa
Susan Namulindwa is the Founder and Director of Maama Watali. She is passionate about women and girls’ leadership, wellbeing, and development.
Susan is very involved in her community in Canada and Africa, as well as the broader international African diaspora through various community development initiatives which is a tremendous asset in outreach.
She has built a reputation and know-how around building team resiliency, leading consultations among diverse stakeholders with reference to agenda setting, delivering on new change, and project management.