By Vision Reporter

The Government should increase support to the rural women, if the high level of poverty in the country is to become history, the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, John Nasasira has said.

Speaking during the Women’s Day celebrations in Nakasongola, at which President Museveni was the chief guest, Nasasira said although women form the bulk of the labour force, many, especially those living in rural areas, have limited access to Government programmes, yet they hold the key to development of the country.

This year’s Women’s Day celebrations focused on recognising the contributions made by rural women in the development of the nation.

Nasasira said over the years, his ministry had developed a number of good policies to improve the welfare of women and other special interest groups. He cited some of them as the Uganda Gender Policy, the Uganda Culture, the Children Policy National Policy on Disability, but noted that these had not been implemented due to lack of funds.

“This sector has a role of mobilising households to produce and create wealth. It is important that this sector effectively fulfills its mandate in order for other sectors to deliver services effectively,” he said.

Nasasira added that supporting this group to have access to new technology and new methods of production was critical because they can be used not only to transform the rural setting, but the whole country.

He added that women form the majority in the primary growth sector of agriculture, as stated in the National Development Plan and very critical in the successful implementation of Government programmes such as NAADS, immunisation, UPE and SACCOs.