Betty Amongi, the minister for gender, labour and social development has challenged women in Masindi to prioritise educating a girl child as one way of empowering women in Uganda.

Amongi was presiding over the district Women's Day celebrations held at Kabango church of Uganda grounds in Kabango town council in Masindi district on Friday. The celebrations were held under the theme: Accelerating gender equality through women economic empowerment.

"Education is an empowerment tool for a woman. A woman's future can only be determined by education. I want women and girls to understand that it's education that opens the way," explained Amongi.

She challenged the schoolchildren to desist from being indulged in the acts which would end up finishing off their future at a tender age.

Betty Amongi, the minister for gender, labour and social development inspecting a stall established by the former RDC Oliver Kiiza during the celebrations.

"I don't want you to be statistics of child marriage and teenage pregnancy. Desist from being deceived by men before you finish your education. I have been in parliament for now 23 years because I went to school. Let's take education as a priority," she advised.

She however, noted that to attain good education one has to be economically empowered, calling upon the women to embrace the different government programs which are aimed at improving the household income.

She added that all the government programs which are in place have 30% for women and also other marginalised groups.

She also challenged the women in Masindi to strategy and benefit from the project dubbed Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women enterprises (GROW) whereby they will be equipped with different skills in apiary and dairy farming. 

The project was launched in Masindi this week by Balaam Barugahara, the state minister for gender in charge of youths and children affairs.

The project is to be implemented by the gender ministry, Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) Grow Enterprises for Women project and the World Bank.

"Over 100 women are going to be equipped with the different skills. They will be trained for six months and be awarded certificates by the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT). After the training they will be supported with tools to use and also the capital," Amongi explained.

Sarah Gonzaga, the chairperson Women Council Masindi district noted that they're finding it hard to mobilize women to involve themselves in the different government programs as a council because they lack transport means.

She also called for the construction of Masindi hospital which she said is in a pathetic situation.

"The women are the biggest beneficiaries of this hospital because you find us in every ward. We don't have enough space, especially in the maternity ward. We ask the government to expeditiously handle the process of its construction," she appealed.

Florence Asiimwe, the Woman MP Masindi district called for support from the government to help them construct their home as Masindi district women council, noting that they have land which is not encumbered in the centre of Masindi town but undeveloped.

Cosmas Byaruhanga, the LCV chairperson Masindi district called for the continued support of women explaining that about 60% to 80% of agricultural production is done by women in Uganda.

"Even 60% of cane production in Masindi is done by women. You can't have a strong family with good children without a woman. Continued support by government, men and organisations is very paramount," said Byaruhanga.

Women who have been in marriage for over 50 years were given certificates of recognition. Others who were awarded included female politicians who have exhibited exceptional integrity, female civil servants, female farmers and ones in business.