By CHARLES ACHODA
The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has vowed to support women in the ongoing Marriage and Divorce Bill debate in parliament.
Speaking as chief guest during the belated women's day celebrations for Ngora district held at Kapir primary school on Saturday, Kadaga said, women should be given a share of property when they divorce with their men.
"There is no way we are going to avoid this, how can you stay with a man for over 30 years and you are chased away without anything", Kadaga wondered.
This she said there is no way the Parliament of Uganda can pass a Bill which supports women to be sent off to their original families when they divorce with their husbands minus a share.
She said gone are the days women were called padlocks and barbed wires for homes in which men used to disadvantage them and they will have no say.
According to Kadaga, this will consider issues of gender equity and will restrain men from unnecessary divorce of women hence making families more stable and productive for the development of this country.
The Woman MP for Ngora district, Jacqueline Amongin said, Kadaga's being Speaker of Parliament of Uganda is a blessing to women in this country.
God knows why He choose her to be the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda , you imagine, of all the men in that house God selected her, it’s a big blessing for us women and for this country" Amongin said.
Amongin described her as role model who has worked hard to liberate this country especially in fighting domestic violence in families. However, Kadaga encouraged parents in Ngora district to take their children to school and avoid early marriages saying education is the key to success in life.
She advised them to take advantage of the Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education programs to educate their children other than marrying them off early.
"Here there is no negotiation, if you are got trying to settle down such cases, the law will deal with you", Kadaga said.
She cautioned local leaders in the district against involving themselves in settling such cases and directed police to ensure, such people are brought to book because they destroy the young generation who are future leaders.
But the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Ngora, John Henry Ariong urged people of Teso sub region to put behind some of the cultural and traditional values which undermine the status of women.
