Kampala- Empowerment of rural women and girls will be the national focus of this year’s International Women’s Day whose celebrations are at Busubuzi Core Primary Teachers’ College in Mityana District.
Ms Peace Mutuuzo, the Minister of State for Gender and Culture Affairs, said the Uganda National Household Survey 2017 established that 76 per cent of the 37.7 million people in Uganda, reside in rural areas, hence the need to focus on this demographic.
“Many of our social factors play out in the rural areas, where the women and girls are the majority, and therefore puts them at the centre stage of economic production, care and support to families as well as engaging in community management activities,” Ms Mutuuzo said in a statement.
“It is therefore appropriate to assert that rural women and girls fuel local and national economies through their contribution to agriculture and rural enterprises,” she added.
Key areas
Among the challenges that need to be addressed are access to productivity resources such as owning land, accessing agricultural inputs, water, transport, healthcare and education.
The theme for today’s International Women’s Day celebrations is; Empowering rural women and girls: opportunities and challenges.
Mr Matthew Adelyne, the spokesperson of Norvik, said the hospital is using the week to create awareness on the need to improve the health of women, newborns and families and offer discounted health checkups.
“According to the Human Rights Convention, women’s health is a human right. The discounted packages include cervical cancer screening, complete blood count, blood group with Rh Typing,” Mr Adelyne said.
Monitor Publications is running a campaign thoroughout this month by featuring stories of women making a difference in their society.
“Every woman has a story, whether of struggle, triumph or belief which has enable them navigate life… We can inspire each other, advocate and change women’s circumstances as a spiral especially in line with the international theme #PressForProgress, that calls for us to motivate all to think, act and be gender inclusive,” Ms Flora Aduk, the Features Editor Weekend, said.
