Women’s influence in public affairs

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament Hon Mathias Mpuuga says the government needs to do more to appeal to the plight of women in Uganda as the world commemorates International Women’s Day.

This year’s theme: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, national celebrations are happening today at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds and will be graced by President Yoweri Museveni.

Mpuuga says women at all stages and levels of life who toil everyday to make this country great but are faced with the biggest hurdles.

While giving his Women’s day message, celebrated every March 08, Mpuuga stated that women in Uganda continue to suffer as a result of bad governence that has infiltrated the society, denying women a right to their human rights.

“Unemployment, pregnancy-related deaths that claim not less than 15 mothers everyday in our country, evicting people from their land, torturing people,these indirectly affect women also most street vendors evicted from Kampala City are women,women are victims of human trafficking abroad,”He says

Mpuuga wants leaders and the government to front a safer and more peaceful environment for women in Uganda to ensure that they are safe at workplaces, in schools and everywhere.

“Work together as leaders and citizens, to uplift the livelihoods of women because for every woman we save, we are saving a nation, and for every woman we get out of poverty, we are empowering an entire community.” He adds

Women’s influence in public affairs

Meanwhile, Women activists want the government to create National laws to gender equality principles as prescribed by the African Union and SDG 16 on gender equality and an inclusive world.

The Center for Constitutional governance Executive Director Sarah Bireete says Uganda is still struggling with women attaining gender balance.

Bireete says the government needs to empower women financially through programs like the Parish Development Model to alleviate them from poverty by allocating 50% provision for women .

Government has so far allocated 30% of the parish funds to the women, 30% to youth, 10% to persons with disabilities,10% to the elderly while the remaining 20% will go to groups belonging to men and others.

Compiled by Zainab Ali