Positioning Women for Leadership – FOWODE’s contribution

Jul 18, 2023

Currently, the top three political positions- Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, and Prime Minister are occupied by women, an achievement that deserves a pat on the back.

Positioning Women for Leadership – FOWODE’s contribution

Vision Reporter
Journalist @New Vision

The overall number of women in top leadership roles in Uganda is still painfully low, but there are reasons for optimism. Since 2015, the number of women in senior leadership has grown steadily, particularly in the district councils, that accounts for 41.6%. 

Currently, the top three political positions- Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, and Prime Minister are occupied by women, an achievement that deserves a pat on the back.

These achievements have been registered because Uganda is a signatory to several international and regional human rights instruments that affirm women’s right to participate in decision making and leadership.

At the regional level, the Government has ratified the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol).

These international and regional human rights instruments are key in the promotion and protection of the rights of women and play an important role in enhancing their leadership and participation in democratic governance. Uganda also has supporting policies, and legal framework, such as the 1995 Uganda Constitution, the supreme law of the land, which reaffirms equality and women’s leadership.

Article 33 (4) states that “Women shall have the right to equal treatment with men and that right shall include equal opportunities in political, economic and social activities.”

Similarly, Article 32 provides for affirmative action “in favour of groups marginalised on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom, for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them.”
Civil Society Organisations, such as Forum for Women in Democracy. (FOWODE), have empowered women and helped level the playing field. The new norm doesn’t rely on physical strength but skills that come easily to women, such as determination, attention to detail and measured thinking.
The National Gender Policy and National Gender Action Plan has ably helped in achieving these by guiding relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) about mainstreaming gender.

Its worthy noting that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), has played a key role in promoting gender equality despite the fact that it is poorly resourced. Efforts by government such as the affirmative action where girls are added 1.5 extra points while entering university has also led to the emergence of female leaders from across the divide to cross-weave their knowledge and drive for change.

On another front, FOWODE has ensured that there are sufficient rungs on the ladder to help women climb into management positions, though many women still remain powerless to influence decisions that impact their lives. While there is a long way to go, improving political empowerment for women in Uganda corresponds with increased numbers of women in senior political positions.

The efforts of other CSOs like, Uganda Women’s’ Network, WOUGNET, Uganda Media Women Association (UMWA), Association of Uganda Women Medical Workers, ACFODE, Women International Peace Centre, Women Democracy Network, Women Probono Initiative (WPI), among others have through a bold, and value driven transformative leadership agenda “shattered the ceiling’, and rubbished the suspicions that glass ceilings are unbreakable by women.

“We push the boundaries and believe in building a movement of women with courage of conviction, voice and power,” notes FOWODE Executive Director Mrs. Patricia Munabi Babiiha.

Munabi observes that the planet requires new thinking and strategies, a scenario that has enabled women create a different mindset regarding leadership.

She said FOWODE has advocated for inclusive and just governance that gives women voice, choice and power. “By championing women’s political consciousness, and nurture, FOWODE has also promoted authentic civic engagement, and supported women with thought leadership regarding advancement of gender equality in governance, budgeting and development,” said Munabi. She says that unless women are empowered economically, we are going to continue less political empowerment.

She notes that women rights organisations under the auspices of Women Democracy Group (WDG) have enhanced the capacity building of women, something that has helped them gain ground in politics in Uganda.

“But, though top cabinet positions such as the Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament, and Prime Minister are currently occupied by women, when it turns to civil service and private sectors, the number of women in decision making remains abysmally low,” said Munabi. 
Research findings by FOWODE indicates that Gender inequalities still persists, with percentages of women dwindling as they move up the ladder.

This contradicts the Uganda Gender Policy 2007 that seeks to strengthen women’s presence and capacities in decision making.

FOWODE has created and enhanced capacity building programs for women leaders by training over 20,000 to navigate the political landscape and elevate the impact of their leadership. This according to Patricia Munabi, has contributed to a corollary increase in legislation that reflects women’s and girls’ priorities.
She observed that although article 33 of the Ugandan constitution advocates for rights of women to equal treatment, when it comes to opportunities in political, economic and social activities, scores of women in leadership mentored by FOWODE complained about observance of this clause.

Wading through the Candle Light of FOWODE

Scores of women politicians have spoken how FOWODE’s enabling drive, through various initiatives and ingenuity has led to gender transformative change in the country. Statistics indicates that 34% of women are in legislative assembly, 41.6% in district local councils, 30% in cabinet, 28% serve as Ministers of State, 0.9% as subcounty and Town council chairpersons, and 0.02% as female local council chairpersons.

The statutory affirmative action has enhanced women’s visibility in leadership and contributed to their political empowerment, albeit amidst enormous hurdles.

A study, “Against All Odds”, exposes the harrowing tale that women leaders went through during the 2021 general elections. Hon Florence Namayanja, the Masaka City mayor who beat six men to win the hotly contested seat noted that politics has been militarized and monetized.”
“The use of excessive force even stopped us from campaigning. It takes a lot of courage for one to campaign under such circumstance,” she said.

Namayanja observed that if women get more direct seats, the voice of participation and representation of women will increase.

Hon. Christine Akicho the LC5 Councillor Amuria District described the 2021 elections as a mixed bag of joy and tribulation. As a political novice, the mother of five, said husbands have a negative perception towards women joining politics.

“The negative energy from my spouse, coupled with the back-breaking campaigns, drained my pomp. But I am grateful to Forum for Women in Democracy for supporting my bid to attain my dreams,” she said.

Jemimah Tumwijukye, aka Fresh Jjaja, the Sheema District Local Government Chairperson says trainings and mentorship from FOWODE gave her the network and social
support she needed to build her confidence.

Without money and resources needed to woe voters, Chebet Kubarika, the current Kapchorwa Local Government LCV Chairperson used skills from FOWODE to beat three men in the race to lead the district.

“I was encouraged by women leaders in FOWODE to stand for a district elective position. They asked me to go back to school to gain the prerequisite academic credentials, I did that and attained a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration,” said Chebet.
As Women’s participation in leadership and decision making remains low, despite it being a benchmark for achieving gender equality, Government needs to address this aspect.

Similarly, Women’s low literacy levels and income, that is a disadvantage to them especially in highly commercialized electoral, needs government intervention.

It is also critical for the state address the issue of electoral data on gender violence that remains blind.

Munabi notes that Government should reform electoral laws, to ensure that they are responsive to the realities and needs of women and men. “This includes civic education that seeks to address historical gender imbalances that keep women from participating on an equal footing with men, curtailing the commercialisation of electoral processes and eliminating regressive election practices such as lining up behind candidates that increase conflict in communities,” she noted. Pointing out further: “There is also need to review the Political Parties and Organisations Act 2005 to promote gender equality beyond due consideration for gender equity. Hold the Electoral Commission and political parties.

accountable on the implementation of their gender strategies and the Constitutional provisions on women’s political participation,” explained Munabi. 

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