Gender based violence, teenage pregnancy top of agenda on International Women’s Day Celebrations
Kyankwanzi: Uganda today Marked the International Women’s Day Celebrations. The National Celebrations were in Kyankwanzi District at Butemba playgrounds in Butemba Town Council.
In her remarks, the Minister of Gender Betty Amongi revealed that increased participation in Leadership has been a big achievement.
She pointed out the Mega appointments of Maj. Jessica Alupo as Vice President, Prime Minister as a Woman in the Names of Robbina Nabbanja, 1st Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, and third deputy prime minister Rukia Isanga Nakadama.
She challenged women to work hard to prove a point that women can be good performers.
She also Thanked president Museveni for the Ministerial appointments . out 32 senior ministers 14 are women, 50 state ministers
175 women , elected 14 appointed as ex officials out of 557 MP. 16 through direct seat representing 34%.
She also revealed that 45.7% of the district representatives are women.
Succession act has also improved the inheritance in the country as women couldn’t inherit from their relatives. The act also gives equal sharing of property in case of the deceased leaving no will.
She also mentioned the available programs of Parish Development Model and Emyooga plus UWEP that have improved the financial status of women in social.
In other sectors mentioned is the Permanent Secretaries with Uganda now having 17 Permanent Secretaries plus Head of Public Service Ruth Nakyobe.
Amongi says Maternal and Reproductive health has increased with mothers dying while giving birth has reduced.
Betty also emphasized that the political will of President Museveni has been a big factor in creating affirmative action towards women.
However; She highlighted that Gender Based Violence and early pregnancies, Child marriage still persist in society.
Access to internet has been highlighted as one of the problems hindering women access to Science and Technology.
Access to land and enforcement of laws is still low. Police Family Protection Unit has been Highlighted as a weakness especially in following up Gender based violence issues.
Vice President Jessica Alupo commended Museveni for giving women a chance to serve in sectors like Army, Medical field, Pilots among others.
She appealed to the men to keep supporting women arguing that they play a big part in implementing equality.
Museveni in his address noted that their dream as NRM has been making evey woman live a life like Janet.
“From the beginning our movement wanted to see every woman live a life like Janet ( Museveni) not like Ether My Mother.
You can’t be a beggar and you be like Janet, But you have to do two things; prosperity for all working for the pocket and not the stomach.
From 1996 we started teaching you that getting reach you need to shift from working for the stomach and work for both.”
He also emphasized the four acre model.
Museveni says Property for all, education for all, political representation and symbolism are some of the key matters that can transform women.
He appealed to the masses to embrace the Presidential skilling hubs that provide free education.
Reacting to the President’s speech, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto the Women league Chairperson asked women to engage in Government program like PDM, Emyooga and GROW to help fight poverty.
Among those who attended the National function is Vice President Jessica Alupo, First Lady Janet Museveni, NRM vice chairperson Hajji Moses Kigongo, Women’s League Chairperson Lydia Wanyoto, Umukuka of Bamasaba HRH Jude Mike Mudoma, Ministers, Ambassadors among others.
