Women political representation improves despite social setbacks

KAMPALA - Gains in women’s political representation across the Great Lakes region are increasingly being overshadowed by a troubling rise in gender-based violence (GBV), raising concerns about the depth and sustainability of gender equality progress.

According to Jean Paul Kimonyo, the regional director at the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the region has registered notable improvements in the inclusion of women in political and governance structures.

In Uganda, women continue to occupy a growing share of parliamentary and leadership positions, reflecting deliberate policy efforts and affirmative action initiatives aimed at narrowing the gender gap.

Kimonyo made the remarks on April  1, 2026, during a high-level media briefing held at Onomo Hotel in Kampala city.

The event focused on the second regional action plan on peace and security and the gender barometer of the Great Lakes region.

The briefing, attended by over 30 dignitaries, was jointly organised by the ICGLR in collaboration with the Government of Uganda, civil society organisations, and development partners.

However, Kimonyo, who is stationed in Lusaka, Zambia, warned that these gains coexist with a worrying increase in cases of GBV and sexual violence reported across the region.

“We are seeing a significant rise in cases, but it is not entirely clear whether this is due to an actual increase in incidents or because more women are finding the courage to report,” he said.

Despite this uncertainty, he stressed that the trend must be taken seriously, noting that violence against women remains a major barrier to meaningful participation in public life.

“Even with improved representation, women cannot fully engage in leadership if they continue to face insecurity and violence in their communities,” he added.

The Zambian-based Kimonyo noted that the challenge cuts across nearly all 12 ICGLR member states, making it difficult to single out any one country. While some cases are linked to conflict settings in parts of the region, Uganda’s situation is largely driven by social and cultural factors rather than armed conflict.

He urged governments to take a leading role in addressing the crisis, working closely with institutions responsible for gender affairs as well as civil society organisations.

“This is a social issue that requires collective responsibility. Governments must spearhead mitigation efforts, but communities and organisations working with women also have a critical role to play,” he said.

Kimonyo emphasised the need for renewed strategies, including sustained public awareness campaigns, stronger institutional responses, and deeper grassroots engagement to tackle the root causes of GBV.

As the region continues to celebrate progress in women’s political inclusion, experts say bridging the gap between representation and real social protection will be key to achieving lasting gender equality.

Representing the Government of Uganda, Angela Nakafeero, the commissioner for gender and women’s affairs at Uganda's gender ministry, acknowledged the country's strong presence at regional and global platforms.

“Uganda is well represented at the level of ICGLR. We are also well represented in IGAD and equally at the African Union,” she said, noting that such platforms are being used to amplify the voices of women and girls, including refugees.

Nakafeero revealed that under Uganda’s third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, the country is prioritising prevention and response to GBV, particularly in refugee-hosting districts.

“We’ve also prioritised climate action to address environmental degradation, which continues to affect vulnerable communities,” she added.

She said findings from ongoing research indicate that rates of GBV in refugee settlements are higher than the national average, emphasising the urgency for targeted interventions.

“The issues are pertinent, and we must find better ways to address them,” she said.
Flaviana Charles Bayuta, the director for gender, women and children at the ICGLR, who sits in Bujumbura, Burundi at the entity’s headquarters, said the organisation is focused on ensuring the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security across member states.

She revealed that 11 out of the 12 member countries have finalised their National Action Plans, with Zambia in the final stages.

“We will be dealing with early warning signs of conflict to ensure that the region remains peaceful,” Bayuta said.

The ICGLR brings together 12 countries in East and Central Africa, including Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia.