Forum wants action on women empowerment programmes

ARUA

The women leaders in West Nile region are calling for swift action against what they have termed as unfavourable policies and laws relating to women's empowerment and gender inequality in the region.

According to the women, the region has high gender gaps with women/girls more disadvantaged as compared to men through a culture that promotes female subjugation and male dominance. They cite bride price where women are viewed as property of their husbands and, therefore, cannot own property; girls being married off early and child labour.

The women leaders from the districts of Nebbi, Zombo, Arua, Madi Okollo, Terego, Pakwach and Arua City made the call on Monday attending an annual women's summit organised by Action Aid International Uganda in Arua city.

The women forum from Westnile listening to the issue paper during the summit in Arua city

Enforcement of law still lacking

The women also used the occasion to present an issue paper to the gender ministry on some of the key challenges faced by the women in the region.

Mercy Monica Ocotoko, the disability inclusion facilitator Arua City

They said, though Uganda has made great strides in gender mainstreaming in terms of policies and laws, the enforcement and implementation of the law is not met with equal strengths and facilitation- resources.

Among the strategic issues raised by the women during the summit were in the areas of education, health, livelihood and agriculture, GBV protection and access to justice, works and roads, security and budget planning.

Mercy Monica Ocotoko, the disability inclusion facilitator at Arua city, while presenting the strategic issues on the paper, said more needs to be done to save the women, especially those with disability in accessing the various services.

Grace Regina Akulu, the learning and impact co-ordinator of Action Aid International Uganda, said the women forum is a platform where the women in the region can convene to discuss issues affecting grassroots women and strategise and share experiences on how they intervened during the implementation of various programs targeting women.

Nezma Ocokoru, a women activist from Madi Okollo district and the former LC3 chairperson of Arua Hill division is optimistic that the issues raised during the summit will be captured by the gender ministry for any relevant action, especially in the areas of health and education as well as bad culture that only favours male dominance.

Grace Oleru, the vice-chairperson of Zombo District Local Government, pledged to use the experience acquired from the discussions in the forum to empower her grassroots women to stand up for their rights.

Angella Nakafero, the commissioner of gender and women affairs in the gender ministry challenged the women on positive social norm change lauding the forum for providing a platform to address women's issues and calling for action as she pledged to make follow-up on the issues raised by the women forum.