International Women's Day: A lot more has to be done

Mar 31, 2015

Celebrating International Women’s Day and recognising the role and achievements of women is a noble cause that has gained greater currency since its inception in the early 1900s.

By Andrew Barungi

Celebrating International Women’s Day and recognising the role and achievements of women is a noble cause that has gained greater currency since its inception in the early 1900s.

It is commendable to commemorate this March 8 as a growing tribute to the cause of social development by promoting the rights and welfare of women.

Despite the commemorations, there are many challenges which have to be overcome. Not least in Uganda. Is this celebration “woman enough” for most women in Uganda? Has it sufficiently advanced the case for further inclusivity of our mothers, sisters and daughters in Uganda?

It is interesting to note that in regard to women-related socio-political issues, Uganda started promisingly towards the end of the 20th Century.

In the late 80s and early 90s talk about women in leadership and promotion of the girl child education campaign was prevalent in social discussions and in fact also had the strong support of many human rights defenders.

It is worth noting that the government of the day stood as a defender of women issues. Since that time, however, something has gone wrong, what is it?

A key oversight was the failure of leaders to include human rights as a key policy principle and this has consistently denied Uganda’s leadership the benefit of a built-in capability to more comfortably address women’s rights.

For example, even though there are more girls enrolling in schools, there are many yet that are unable or unwilling to reach key educational milestones for various reasons, such as early pregnancies. The steady and continuous deterioration of the quality of education and health care in Uganda is directly related to the prospects of women’s rights.

The Government has a bigger role to further promote the rights of women, including further investment in education and health care. It is evident that if girls receive quality education, they are better equipped to overcome numerous challenges.

Human Rights Defenders have promoted laws against domestic violence, forced circumcision and improved property rights.

However, historically they have not strongly advocated for quality of life and equality for women. It is unfortunate that many of these defenders are well educated and well-meaning but generally tend to advocate for certain topical issues of the day rather than systemic social failures.

I pose a question to them:  what benefits have accrued to the majority of women in Uganda as a result of the 30% parliamentary quotas for women or the 1.5 points for women to join university? Uganda has evolved a system that now promotes a “socialism for the elite”— social amenities accessible to a very small minority of women from elite backgrounds.

It is disheartening to observe recent actions of women in Asian countries such as India and Philippines who have taken to voicing their frustrations recently by demonstrating against rape and poor wages. It is my hope that these women do not lose hope but continue to demonstrate until they get a greater social voice.

Recent media bulletins revealed that an Indian bride refused to marry a man who could not solve “simple” maths equations. She may have wanted more from a partner, including someone with whom she could engage in intellectual exchanges with. Unfortunately for her, the deal for her new life was probably already brokered (probably male led parties!).

I urge Ugandans to lend active support to women who are fighting these sorts of injustices, rather than giving their support to those who seek lighter cures. For women’s quality of life to improve, Government has to invest much more in social amenities like education and health care.  

The writer is social scientist
 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});