Asiimwe is wrong about women numbers!
SIR— I wish to inform the Co-ordinator of UWONET, Ms Jacqueline Asiimwe, that quantity is not equal to ability and qualification to deliver.
SIR— I wish to inform the Co-ordinator of UWONET, Ms Jacqueline Asiimwe, that quantity is not equal to ability and qualification to deliver. According to The New Vision last Wednesday, page 4, Asiimwe demands that women should have “greater say in decision-making and a 50% share of all government appointment.†The justification she gives before the Constitutional Review Commission for this demand is that “women constitute 51% of the country’s population.†This is a weak justification which requires critical challenge.
Since the international commitment to women’s participation in development and public life was incarnated by the United Nations Decade for Women (19975, 1985), the Uganda government has responded to the forward looking strategies in different ways. Since 1986, the Government assumed that participation in the development process would increase women “income and securityâ€. Security here refers to that feeling of confidence from which a sense of self appreciation and respect is derived. Government has formulated measures to eliminate discrimination against women in political and public life.
Despite the equality of political rights in law, women in Uganda still play a minor political role at all levels including their participation in economic decision-making and management. This is due to low levels of self-confidence, the challenges of coping simultaneously with domestic and professional responsibilities, discrimination in the work-place and at home, financial dependence, lack of education or experience.
Most women in developing countries are unable to take full education opportunities because the two-thirds of illiterates are women, and two-thirds of women over the age of 25 have never been to school. The consequences of this education gap between men and women are far-reaching as a result of cultural attitudes that boys will support their parents later in life. Therefore, very little has changed about the attitudes of both men and even women to women, particularly in leadership roles. For instance, women leaders in the LC system operate in an environment which is dictated by values and norms unfavourable to their active involvement in this country. Furthermore, Asiimwe should be educated that in the 21st century, appointments must be on merit, not favouritism.
The Rev Aaron Mwesigye Kafundizeki
Mbarara University
Since the international commitment to women’s participation in development and public life was incarnated by the United Nations Decade for Women (19975, 1985), the Uganda government has responded to the forward looking strategies in different ways. Since 1986, the Government assumed that participation in the development process would increase women “income and securityâ€. Security here refers to that feeling of confidence from which a sense of self appreciation and respect is derived. Government has formulated measures to eliminate discrimination against women in political and public life.
Despite the equality of political rights in law, women in Uganda still play a minor political role at all levels including their participation in economic decision-making and management. This is due to low levels of self-confidence, the challenges of coping simultaneously with domestic and professional responsibilities, discrimination in the work-place and at home, financial dependence, lack of education or experience.
Most women in developing countries are unable to take full education opportunities because the two-thirds of illiterates are women, and two-thirds of women over the age of 25 have never been to school. The consequences of this education gap between men and women are far-reaching as a result of cultural attitudes that boys will support their parents later in life. Therefore, very little has changed about the attitudes of both men and even women to women, particularly in leadership roles. For instance, women leaders in the LC system operate in an environment which is dictated by values and norms unfavourable to their active involvement in this country. Furthermore, Asiimwe should be educated that in the 21st century, appointments must be on merit, not favouritism.
The Rev Aaron Mwesigye Kafundizeki
Mbarara University