Women should continue to be the backbone of the economies in Africa in their roles as scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, and in many other fields, Vice President Jessica Alupo has said.

The Vice President was referring to a speech made by Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, during the 57th anniversary of the Pan-African Women’s Organization; when he said, “Women continue to be the backbone of the economies of Africa as farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, scientists and leaders in many other sectors, and encouraged them to continue doing so for the transformation of Africa.”

She added, “He also pointed out that it is our collective responsibility to hold ourselves and our leaders accountable to deliver on our gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments.”

She made the remarks on Thursday at Serena Hotel, as a Chief Guest, at the opening ceremony of the women’s political leadership regional convention; hosted by Akina Mama wa Africa.

Alupo, based on this argument added, “This Convention should, among other things, focus on generating knowledge that accelerates the advancement of women’s rights, including the rights of women to participate in politics in this region and the rest of Africa.”

“All of us should discuss and generate practical solutions to raise a woman’s social, economic, and political status. Given the historical gender imbalance in Uganda and the rest of Africa, what is needed is affirmative action to uplift the previously marginalized social groups and to address their concerns,” the Vice President added.

She explained, “For the last 30 or so years, Uganda has been resolving the above imbalance whereby our Government deliberately emphasized affirmative action to ensure representation of women at all levels of decision-making. Further to that, the Government of Uganda introduced the youth livelihood and women entrepreneurship programs to help the youth and women to engage in income-generating activities.”

“I am glad to note that at the political level, the elderly, youth, disabled women in Uganda are well represented today; from the grass root to the highest Office, in this country,” she added.

She saluted women with the spirit of empowering fellow African women. “Among the categories of women, I wish to recognize in a special way during this convention, are female medical workers, like doctors, nurses, and midwives, etc. who are the vessels through which life is borne. In addition to their routine tasks, many of these women plus other health workers are at the front line, fighting to contain the COVID -19 pandemic. As we strive to ensure gender parity in this region and the rest of Africa, let’s continue celebrating the achievements of these people, and other African women.”

The former state minister for ethics and integrity, Miria Matembe, called upon women in politics and senior positions not to be driven by money but by passion if they want to help fellow women.

“I came in politics at a time when women's participations in politics was unheard of, I was driven by passion, but these days women go in politics for jobs, if that does not change, we shall talk and go back home but nothing will change,” Matembe said.

Lilliane Babirye, the executive director of Network of women in politics, said young women are willing and ready to grow in leadership but they lack mentorship and training because senior women in leadership positions are not giving them a chance.

“Many women who have just acquired new offices are moving from one office to another because they do not know what to do. When we come for such conferences women make a lot of noise but when the young women call them after for mentorship they never pick their calls. Other women, when they see young women trying to take up leadership positions, they do not give them a hand,” Babirye said

Aisha Waliggo, he president of the Democratic party women’s league, said if women are to excel in leadership they need to have one voice.

“Regardless of what party you belong to, women should have one common voice for transformation. If you realise that there are issues in health, education or health let us come out as one with one message that is when change will be met,” Waliggo noted.