Political parties frustrating women
Jul 09, 2009
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) wants women representation in political parties increased.
By Anne Mugisa
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) wants women representation in political parties increased.
According to the UN, political parties are frustrating women in accessing powerful positions and resources.
It warned that democracy would not take root if the parties continued oppressing women.
This was at the opening of the UNDP-funded three-day workshop to campaign for increased women participation in political parties. It was organised by the Forum for Women in Development.
Representing the UNDP resident representative, his deputy, Sam Ibanda, said: “There is an urgent need to ensure that women become visible in the party structure to enable their voices be heard.â€
The workshop was attended by women from UPC, FDC, CP, DP, NRM and JEEMA parties.
The UN said although the Government had made a significant achievement in establishing democratic governance since 1986, more women needed to be involved.
“Uganda can now boast of 32% representation of women in Parliament, but this is still a small proportion of the elected leaders,†the organisation noted.
The UN said multiparty politics had provided an alternative space for women to engage in politics, but added that few were represented on the national party structures.
The women complained that they are used as a campaigning chip by their parties to garner support from the population and relegated thereafter.
They said political party manifestos are filled with grand ideas about women issues, yet none of them are fulfiled.
MP Nabillah Nagayi (Kampala Woman) said political parties were using the “Women’s Leagues†just to appear politically correct.
Rebecca Atengo (Woman Lira) said parties use women to manipulate other women.
“We want justice and fairness. We are either being manipulated or being used to manipulate other women to support things they don’t understand,†Atengo lamented.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) wants women representation in political parties increased.
According to the UN, political parties are frustrating women in accessing powerful positions and resources.
It warned that democracy would not take root if the parties continued oppressing women.
This was at the opening of the UNDP-funded three-day workshop to campaign for increased women participation in political parties. It was organised by the Forum for Women in Development.
Representing the UNDP resident representative, his deputy, Sam Ibanda, said: “There is an urgent need to ensure that women become visible in the party structure to enable their voices be heard.â€
The workshop was attended by women from UPC, FDC, CP, DP, NRM and JEEMA parties.
The UN said although the Government had made a significant achievement in establishing democratic governance since 1986, more women needed to be involved.
“Uganda can now boast of 32% representation of women in Parliament, but this is still a small proportion of the elected leaders,†the organisation noted.
The UN said multiparty politics had provided an alternative space for women to engage in politics, but added that few were represented on the national party structures.
The women complained that they are used as a campaigning chip by their parties to garner support from the population and relegated thereafter.
They said political party manifestos are filled with grand ideas about women issues, yet none of them are fulfiled.
MP Nabillah Nagayi (Kampala Woman) said political parties were using the “Women’s Leagues†just to appear politically correct.
Rebecca Atengo (Woman Lira) said parties use women to manipulate other women.
“We want justice and fairness. We are either being manipulated or being used to manipulate other women to support things they don’t understand,†Atengo lamented.