Study shows 969 male receptionists employed in Govt

By Francis Emorut

A study that documents status of women in decision making positions within government institutions and agencies is to be launched tomorrow (Tuesday).

The study titled: “Reality Check: Women in Leadership Positions in Uganda,” will be launched by the speaker of East African Legislative Assembly, Margaret Zziwa.

The study reveals that key positions in government institutions ranging from assistant commissioner to the permanent secretary are dominated by men.

It also shows that the overall posting of civil servants per designation male counterparts take the lead from the level of medical officer.

Women activists (l-r) Sophie Kyagulanyi, former chief magistrate Lina Zedriga and Patricia Munabi during a media briefing in Kampala on July 21, 2014. Photos/Francis Emorut

According to Patricia Munabi, the executive director of Forum for Women in Democracy, the objective of the study was to establish the existing numbers of women in decision making at all levels is selected public institutions.

It also intended to examine the implications of current status of women in decision making on Uganda’s social, economic and political development as well as to propose a plan of action for advocating for an increase in the number of women in decision making positions.

A total of 31 institutions were assessed including 19 government ministries, 10 agencies and commissions and one national referral hospital and one academic institution.

The findings indicate, for example, the 2012 public officers posting shows that there were 18 female chairpersons/secretaries of commission compared to 35 males representing 34% and 66% respectively.

It also shows there were three female permanent secretaries representing 13% while 20 are male at 87%.

The overall total of public servants in the 2012 payroll management unit indicates that 5406 females occupy positions of government while their male counterparts are 7393 representing 58% against 42%.

As you go down the lower ranks, for example, clinical officer/receptionist, the females dominate the field.

It indicates that there are 1642 females employed as receptionists compared to 969 males representing 63% and 37% respectively.

In the study covered the ministries such as finance, internal affairs, local government, gender, labour and social interestingly shows females take the largest share in the position of commissioner and senior officers with numbers 3 and 17 compared to 2 and 10 for the males representing, 60% and 63% against 40% and 37%.

Other ministries are agriculture, trade and industry, educations and sports, health, tourism and others.

While government agencies include Electoral Commission, National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), National Research Organisation (NARO), Education Service Commission, Public Service Commission, Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and Parliament and others.

The women activists while addressing a media briefing in Kampala on Monday pointed out that there is need to address the imbalances created in top leadership position.

They cited position of permanent secretaries which is critical in running ministries as accounting officer there are only six female permanent secretaries compared to 17 males.

The activists were announcing the national women in politics conference that takes place tomorrow at Africana Hotel in Kampala.

The conference will be held under the theme: “Women and Power: Taking Stock and Marching Forward will be attended by academia, development partners, members of the diplomatic corps, women in religious institutions, women entrepreneurs and private sector.

Other participants include legislators, technocrats, women rights defenders, Mothers Union, women in political parties and women in public administration.

Dr. Kadi Sesay from Sierra-Leone will give a key note address.

Sesay was a presidential candidate who was beaten by President Earnest Bai Koroma.