Ugandan women celebrate elevated status on International Women’s Day

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Hellen Najuma, 65, is visiting a tailor's stall in Luwero, around 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Kampala, Uganda's capital.

She has come to pick up a dress the tailor has been making which she wants to wear on a special occasion.

Najuma told Anadolu Agency she was preparing to attend International Women's Day celebrations in Kampala on March 8.

The mother of five lives in Luwero district, where the government waged a liberation war 35 years ago.

"I regard International Women's Day as a very special day for me and all women in Uganda. Under this government, we are no longer limited to the kitchen but are now in all aspects of life, including politics, business and all other activities," she said.

She said she would attend national celebrations that will take place at the Kololo airstrip in Kampala, where President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be the guest of honor.

Frank Mugabi, spokesman for Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development Betty Amongi, said women are right to proudly celebrate International Women's Day because they have achieved a lot since Museveni came to power in 1986.

"Women in Uganda have gone far ahead in all sectors of development because of the good policies put in (place in) Uganda meant to elevate their lives and development," he told Anadolu Agency.

"We have seen that the government has made sure that each district gets a woman member of parliament. That is why there are many women in parliament."

Uganda has 114 districts.

Mugabi said there is a lot going on in the government to support women and girls.

"The government is doing all it can to do away with bad norms and practices that hinder women's development. That is why we have successfully fought against female genital mutilation in (the regions of) Sebei and Karamoja," he said. "The government is doing a lot to ensure that women and girls achieve their full potential."

He cited the very high positions of the vice president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, health, and energy and mineral development ministers being held by women, in addition to more than 15 other female ministers.

"Women in Uganda have achieved a lot with the help of the government. We have started conversations on designing strategies to analyze past achievements," Amongi told women leaders on March 3 at a forum organized in Kampala by her ministry ahead of International Women's Day celebrations.

But she said women are concerned about inadequate funding to hold celebrations in their areas.

Adekemi Ndieli, country representative for UN Women, advised women at the forum to use mechanisms at the high and technical level to push for gender equality.

Cabinet Secretary Lucy Nakyobe said, "Uganda has made significant progress in the advancement of gender equality and empowerment of women in political, economic and social spheres.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said "women in Uganda are happy because the government respects them and has made good policies to support them. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni wants all women in the county to develop. There is a need for us to unite. Women should not get involved in fighting one another. We need to engage in constructive debates that will push the gender equality agenda."

According to the International Women's Day website, it is an official public holiday in more than 25 countries, including Uganda, Zambia, Eritrea, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Nepal, Montenegro, Moldova, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Armenia, Belarus, Cuba, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.

Although the day is not a public holiday in the US and UK, it is marked with events to celebrate women, such as festivals, rallies, art performances, marches and speeches.

This year's theme is "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow," according to an announcement on the UN's website.