Justice Sebutinde calls for empowerment of women, girls

By Patrick Jaramogi                                      

Justice Julia Sebutinde has called for increased empowerment of women and young girls with financial and literacy skills saying they are key in addressing domestic violence.

Sebutinde, International Court of Justice judge made the remarks during the celebrations to mark the 16 days of activism held at the Graca Machel Vocational Training center in Kyebando a Kampala suburb.

The 16 days of activisms is celebrated every year between November 25 to December 10 worldwide to address gender based violence against women.

Sebutinde, who also serves as Board chairperson of Graca Machel Vocational center noted that economic empowerment is instrumental in building homes and reducing on domestic violence.

The center supported by the Graca Machel Foundation seeks to empower vulnerable women and girls with life, financial and entrepreneurship skills. “I want to applaud Mama Teo (Teopista Sekitto Ntale- the founder) and the Grace Machel Vocational center for economically empowering the Uganda women and girls,” said Sebutinde.

Teopista Sekitto Ntale, the executive director said everybody feels happy when their wives are working and earning to supplement on the family incomes. “When the woman is empowered economically issues of domestic violence become minimal,” said Mama Teo.

Ana Mutavati, the Deputy Country Representative UN Women observed that domestic violence is linked to economic empowerment. “We know what exists between low economic status and violence in homes. With financial empowerment, you will kick domestic violence out of your homes,” said Mutavati.

Kawempe Women Councilor, Hajjat Madina Nsereko said when women and girls are empowered with financial matters; they compete equally with their male counterparts. “Once our vulnerable girls are empowered with financial and entrepreneurship skills, they start to earn and support their lives. They start to earn a living from their homes,” she said.

The center’s program director Godfrey Sewankambo said the center has empowered over 1,000 vulnerable girls in recent years with financial inclusion needs serious financial support. “We have with meager resources taught these vulnerable girls how to save, and supported rural women with entrepreneurship skills and financial literacy,” he said.

Sewankambo said the center is dedicated to empowering young women and girls with financial skills so they can make smart economic decisions.