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Cultural leaders from various institutions in Uganda have released a joint declaration on promoting girl-child education and their retention in schools.
The joint declaration was released under the Council of Traditional Leaders in Africa (COLTA)-Uganda chapter, during a meeting at Kabira Country Club in Kampala on December 6, 2024, as the world commemorates the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence (GBV) on the theme: Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls.Prime ministers of cultural institutions from Tooro Kingdom, Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, Iteso Cultural Union, Alur Kingdom, Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu, Inzu Ya Masaaba, Obundingiya Bwa Bamba, Obwenengo Bwa Bugwe, Buruuli Cultural Institution, Lango Cultural Institution, Kumam Cultural Heritage and Sebei Cultural Institute, participated in the development of the declaration, a process facilitated by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) with support from UN Women.
Recognising the importance of education for the empowerment of the girl child and the development of their communities, cultural leaders committed to identifying, publicising, and raising awareness of the positive cultural resources in their communities that support enrolment and retention of children in schools, particularly girls.
Alur Kingdom premier Prince Lawrence Angala, also COTLA-Uganda chapter deputy secretary general said they came up with an 11-point declaration which they are going to use for implementing their roles in promoting the girl child education rights and making sure that they do not lose out on what they have been doing.
“We request people out there to help us achieve these objectives of promoting the girl child education and their retention in school which is one of the biggest challenges in this country,” Angala said.
Charles Bukatwa, the Prime Minister of Obundingiya Bwa Bwamba, said: “We can end violence against women and girls by strictly observing the positive parenting education and promoting the good upbringing of children—not to violate the rights of their co-gender.”
Andrew Ocole, the prime minister of Iteso Cultural Union, said in their culture as Iteso, there can never be a home without a girl or a woman.
“The essence of a home is that it begins from a woman, that's why when it comes to marriages, you cannot marry unless when you have a woman—so I urge our clan leaders out there to strengthen and make sure that most of these girls get to school,” Ocole noted.
Other cultural leaders explained that this will be achieved through community outreach programs, mass media, traditional and cultural events, promoting positive parenting practices, and other initiatives that promote the value of education for all children.
In their declaration, they also pledged to collaborate with other stakeholders, including government, civil society organizations, private sector, and development partners, to collectively pool resources and expertise in promoting the positive aspects of their cultures that aid child education, especially for girls.
Some of the Cultural Leaders and Officials from the Ministry of Gender during the meeting at Kabira Country Club in Kampala where they made a declaration. (Courtsey photo)
1 Comment
Beatrice Auma
Kudos!!
12/12/2024