What does Women's Day mean to you?

The World celebrates Women's Day every March 8. The International Women's Day was launched made March 8 in 1913. 

The day aimed to help nations worldwide eliminate discrimination against women. It also focused on helping women gain full and equal participation in global development. 

Over the years, the day has become a public holiday since the NRM government came into power in 1986. But what does it mean for Ugandans?

Henry Sekanjako, Parliamentary reporter
Women's day is the day we celebrate our loved ones, especially mothers.

Ugandan women today are more empowered than before. They are now taking center-stage in every affair of the country; politics, economy, etc.

 This is a day worth celebrating because we celebrate women's achievements, the progress they have had over the years and their contribution to the country.

 Henry Ssekanjako. Photos by Sandra Kyalitesa

Mercy Okorom        
Women's day is about celebrating their achievements and successes, but also not forgetting the fathers who have made these women great.

There are women who have been supported by fathers and while women are celebrated on this day, these fathers should also be celebrated.

This day is also about commending mothers and mother figures that have positively impacted on their emotional and physical lives.

It is a day to celebrate role models that we look up to for encouragement because of what they have done in society.

 Okorom   

Sarah Mazirwe        
This is the day we get to learn how women have contributed to the development of the world.

On this day, we also learn about the highlights and problems that women go through and the challenges they face.

Gerald Tenywa, senior environment journalist
Women's day is about highlighting their achievements because there are many who would have been productive but the power imbalance from the local and district level has failed them.

We have a culture that glorifies men and leaves out women, yet at the end of the day when they (men)  fail to fulfill their obligations in the home, the women assist them.

Also, women's day would be a day to reflect on what women have done in the past 30 years of emancipation.

It is hard for one to plant a tree if she does not own the land and the women who would have planted them are not encouraged to do so.

 Tenywa

In flooding areas, women are more affected because they are always at home.

My wife takes care of the decisions at home and I will also teach my children to do the same.

Praise Sanyu, businesswoman
Women's day is a special day dedicated to the ladies and the mothers because many times women's achievements are not respected in the community.

Even when they report cases of sexual harassment they are not helped, yet they are the role models of the next generation.

We also celebrate this day by remembering the female figures we are and the roles we play in the nation.

 Praise Sanyu

This day teaches us to embrace educating the girl-child and to train them to be great women in the future at the national, family, church and community level.

Female figures like the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, Mukono Municipality MP Betty Namboze, and Miracle Centre pastor Jessica Kayanja should be respected and recognized for the role they play in empowering women and girls.

Taddeo Bwambale
Women's day is supposed to reflect on the role of women in bringing life as our mothers, companion, and pillars of creation.

The day should go beyond recognizing and should be a moment of reflecting on how much space exists for young girls to achieve and be who they want to be.

Women's day should be a day to teach us about giving a girl-child space to excel so that they are able to create opportunities for themselves.

Peninah Nyangoma
Women's day gives a chance to celebrate women's struggles and hard work.

The Government should use this day to celebrate women by recognizing their efforts especially those who do not rely on any man.

 Nyangoma   

The Government should also use this day to emphasize women's empowerment because in rural areas a woman can earn money after working and then the husband steals it from her because he is ‘the head of the family.

Elizabeth Mbabazi, a third-year student at Uganda Christian University
Women's day means a lot to me as a woman and I guess to every woman in the world.

In the past, women were not considered or even regarded to give opinions in society but now we can stand on our own and share equal rights with men which is something to be happy about and worth celebrating.

 Mbabazi

I am happy to know and observe that women have been respected in the community because they have been given liberty and freedom to participate in the elections which is something to be proud of.

Samalie Kisakye, teacher
This day reminds me of being proud and independent of being a woman through being hard working.

 Kisakye