Jinja: Uganda joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day, an annual event commemorated on March 8. The day recognizes women’s achievements, raises awareness about their rights, and promotes gender equality.
This occasion not only highlights the progress made toward gender parity but also serves as a reminder that true equality remains a work in progress. Achieving it requires continuous effort and dedication.
The theme of this year’s Women’s Day, “Accelerate Action,” underscores the urgent need for swift and decisive measures to bridge the gap between women’s rights and reality. Current statistics paint a stark picture: at the present pace, full gender equality will not be achieved until 2158—a staggering five generations from now.
The “Accelerate Action” campaign aims to intensify efforts to dismantle systemic barriers and biases against women. This was welcomed by Ms. Hellen Lunkuse, the Executive Director of the Rape Hurts Foundation (RHF), along with other gender equality activists.
“Achieving true equality requires addressing discrimination, ensuring equal access to education and healthcare, promoting women’s leadership, and tackling gender-based violence and economic disparities,” Ms. Lunkuse stated.
RHF, a Jinja-based non-profit organization, marked the day by organizing a Global Mentoring Walk, where established women leaders walked alongside emerging leaders, providing guidance, mentorship, and support.
The walk, which took place in Mpumudde, Jinja City, was a symbolic gesture of women uplifting one another. It also offered mentors an opportunity to share experiences, insights, and advice with their mentees.
“We are following in the footsteps of Geraldine Laybourne, the initiator of the Global Mentoring Walk. As women, we need to walk together to share skills and knowledge. We have discussed ways to fight poverty, maintain peace at home, and contribute to national development,” Ms. Lunkuse said.
“We have walked while lighting the path for women and girls toward development, and it has been a great success,” she added.
As part of the event, the participants visited Methodist Primary School on Kamuli Road, where they planted fruit trees to promote environmental conservation. This initiative not only supports sustainability but also provides future benefits for students, who will be able to enjoy the fruits for years to come.
According to Ms. Lunkuse, the Ugandan government has made significant strides in empowering women, particularly by granting them greater access to university education. This has enabled more women to become self-advocates.
However, she also pointed out that the government has at times fallen short in effectively implementing programs that benefit women, especially young girls who continue to face challenges such as teenage pregnancies and early marriages in regions like Busoga.
Despite these gaps, she emphasized that civil society organizations have stepped in to develop and implement strategies to combat teenage pregnancies.
“Busoga was once a center of academic excellence, producing top female scholars. However, this is no longer the case. The government must take responsibility and investigate why,” she urged. She also called on education commissioners and officials from the Ministry of Gender to collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to create specialized programs addressing early marriages in Busoga.
Prominent feminist and human rights leader Judith Namansa Balaba encouraged women to support and uplift one another. While acknowledging that Ugandan women hold key leadership positions, she pointed out that many women at the grassroots level remain economically disadvantaged.
Balaba stressed that advocating for women’s rights should not come at the expense of family responsibilities. She also condemned recent acts of violence in Kamuli district, where women reportedly attacked their husbands over allegations of infidelity.
“What will you tell your children? That you mutilated their father because he loved another woman?” Balaba asked rhetorically.
She further urged women to focus on self-empowerment rather than relying on political handouts.
“Women should stop waiting for small donations at political rallies. Instead, they should work toward accessing these resources independently,” she said.
Kiira Regional Police spokesperson, SP James Mubi, emphasized the importance of mutual respect in relationships, noting that both men and women can be perpetrators of mistreatment.
Mubi criticized men who build wealth with their wives only to later take another wife. He urged women to channel their energy into community development rather than internal conflicts.
He also strongly condemned rape and defilement, warning men that such crimes would not go unpunished.
“Rape and defilement are serious acts of violence against women. As police, we will ensure that offenders face justice,” he stated, urging women and young girls to report such cases without fear.
Joseph Bakaki, a media personality at Apex FM in Jinja and Executive Director of Buutu Empowerment Foundation, reaffirmed the media’s role in amplifying the voices of women seeking justice. He encouraged women to use media platforms to mobilize, sensitize, and empower their peers, leading to transformation and positive change.
“We have covered stories of women’s empowerment and exposed cases of rape and defilement through our microphones. As a result, many victims have received justice because our stories attract the attention of activists and relevant authorities,” Bakaki said.
Meanwhile, the national celebration of International Women’s Day took place at Butemba College Playground in Kyankwanzi district, with President Yoweri Museveni as the chief guest.
