6 million battling poverty

Mar 08, 2006

UNICEF has said an estimated three million women and 3.5 million children live in the most disadvantaged conditions in Uganda.

By Alfred Wasike

UNICEF has said an estimated three million women and 3.5 million children live in the most disadvantaged conditions in Uganda.

UNICEF said up to six million women and children in Uganda were “battling the triple challenges of chronic poverty, disease and insecurity in the west, north and north-eastern parts of the country, while others were marginalised and denied access to basic healthcare, education, safe water, sanitation and protection.”

“Of these, an estimated 1.3 million women and children live in IDP camps in northern Uganda, where the overcrowded conditions further expose them to risks of violence, exploitation, abuse and HIV/AIDS,” UNICEF said.

The agency urged Uganda and its development partners to ensure this vulnerable group, especially in the IDP camps, remains high on the national agenda.

The UNICEF representative to Uganda, Martin Mogwanja, yesterday said both national theme for this year’s Women’s Day, “Women and Multiparty Democracy” and the global theme of “Women in Decision-making,” highlighted the importance of involving women in matters that affect them and their families.

Governments around the world have observed Women’s Day since 1975 to recognise the importance of women’s participation in achieving peace, social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and to acknowledge the contribution of women to strengthening international peace.

The agency said such factors would take their toll without concerted effort to prioritise children and women’s issues.

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