Every year on March 8, people all over the world observe International Women's Day to honour the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women. It's a day set aside to recognise and celebrate the historical accomplishments made by women, as well as to spread awareness of gender injustice and the current struggle for women's rights. The day also serves as a rallying cry for people and groups to support and advance global gender equality and women's empowerment.
The purpose of celebrating International Women's Day is to promote gender equality globally and to increase awareness of the accomplishments and hardships of women. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions made by women to society, from political figures to grassroots activists, and to draw attention to the difficulties that women still encounter, such as discrimination, gender-based violence, and unequal access to opportunities in the fields of education, healthcare, and the economy.
Early in 1900, when women were fighting in many countries for the right to vote, better working conditions, and equal pay, the first International Women's Day was celebrated. Today, the day serves as a reminder of the advancements made and the work that still needs to be done to guarantee that women are appreciated, respected, and empowered as equal members of society everywhere.
The gender outlook of Uganda
Women in Uganda play a significant role in the economy, contributing through business, politics, agriculture, entrepreneurship, employment, and unpaid care work at home. Economic empowerment of women in Uganda is essential for achieving development goals, as recognized by the World Bank's 2006 report on Gender and Economic Growth in Uganda. Uganda is a leader in recognizing the linkages between economic growth and gender issues in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Women are vital to Uganda's rural agricultural sector, providing a higher share of crop labor than men, and making up over half of the agricultural workforce. Without women, there would be no life in Uganda as they feed the over 40 million Ugandans today, although their agricultural activities are less productive due to low education levels, rudimentary technology, and unpredictable weather conditions. The government recognizes the potential economic contribution of women and aims to reduce gender gaps to raise GDP by 2% annually.
Women in leadership positions range from high political positions to lower grassroots levels, with all district constituencies having female representatives to address women's issues. Women-owned small and micro-businesses account for 60% of small and medium enterprises, providing basic home needs and contributing to the economy through taxes. However, women face challenges in business registration procedures, limited access to credit facilities due to lack of collateral security, access to land, and possession of land titles.
The education sector, especially kindergarten and lower primary schools, has over 70% female teachers who play a crucial role in shaping Uganda's children's future. Women's unpaid work in household chores takes up almost 80% of their time, highlighting the need for men to support them in this regard. Domestic violence and other human rights violations against women and girls should be eradicated, given their immense contributions to their families.
The Uganda constitution is not fair to women as it lacks measures to address gender inequalities. Cultural and clan leaders constantly violate Uganda's 15% inheritance law upon the death or divorce of a husband, and women are unaware of their legal rights and freedom. Addressing these issues is necessary to empower women and achieve gender equality in Uganda.
It is clear that women and girls in Uganda face significant challenges in terms of gender inequality, violence, and abuse. The prevalence of FGM, child marriage, and intimate partner violence is particularly concerning. These practices are deeply ingrained in cultural and religious traditions, which can make it difficult to address them effectively.
Efforts by organizations like Girl Up Initiative and UN Women are important in raising awareness of these issues and working towards gender equality. It is also crucial to provide education and economic opportunities for young women and girls to help them break out of the cycle of poverty and dependence on men. This will require a concerted effort from both the government and civil society to enact policies and programs that promote gender equality and protect the rights of women and girls in Uganda.
Women in Northern Uganda
It is truly heartbreaking to hear about the devastating effects of war and conflict on women and girls in Lamwo district and the surrounding regions. The experiences of sexual violence, forced labor, and other forms of abuse during the war have had a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls, and it is unacceptable that they continue to face such injustices in the post-conflict period.
It is crucial that efforts are made to address the root causes of gender-based violence and discrimination in Uganda, including the harmful cultural and religious practices that contribute to the subordination of women and girls. This includes promoting education and economic opportunities for girls and women, as well as enforcing laws that protect their rights and hold perpetrators of violence accountable.
NGOs like Girl Up Initiative are doing important work in this regard, but it will take a concerted effort from government, civil society, and communities themselves to bring about lasting change. We must all work together to ensure that the basic human rights and dignity of women and girls are respected and upheld in Uganda and around the world.
It is encouraging to see the government and civil society organizations working together to address issues of gender inequality and violence against women and girls in Lamwo district and Uganda as a whole. The efforts of organizations like FOWAC, UN Women, and Lamwo Youth Forum for Change are commendable in empowering women and girls, particularly in the areas of education and economic empowerment. The National strategy to End Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy is a step in the right direction towards ending harmful practices and improving the lives of young girls in Uganda. The community policing sessions aimed at preventing and addressing crimes such as FGM/C is also an important initiative to protect the rights and well-being of women and girls. It is important to continue to promote and enforce laws and policies that protect women and girls, while also addressing harmful cultural norms and practices that perpetuate gender-based violence and inequality.
The need for a strong legal framework and education to end child marriage and teenage pregnancies in Uganda is crucial. The existing laws can be effective if they are properly enforced, but corruption and cultural norms can prevent justice from being served for girls who have been victimized. It's crucial to involve cultural leaders and parents in the effort to change attitudes and behaviors around child marriage and early pregnancies. This can be done through education and advocacy, and by empowering young girls to stand up for their rights and take control of their own futures. Overall, it will take a sustained effort from all sectors of society to end these harmful practices and create a safer, more equitable future for Uganda's girls and women.
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