Chairperson’s speech at the Commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2023

More than four (4) decades ago, women rights movements emerged to defend and protect women across the world with hope of bringing women to the table. Our achievements as a women’s movement is visible in the current state of women affairs and each country has its portion.

In Uganda, more than 50.71% of the population are women whose effort for equity continue to yield results in terms of inclusion and masked opportunities. The ability for women’s decisions to work in company of their male counter-parts is a myth in Uganda and very many remain a pose as scapegoats for positions they operate and or decisions they make.

Evidently, girls continue to pay a price in hunting for jobs and must sacrifice more than their male counterparts must. Many women (more than 80%) still silently give in to sexual advances in favor of employment while many school going young girls get abused silently by their tutors in favor of grades they work so hard to attain.

These and very many sub-standard vices towards women prevail but we pretend that equity seems better than it was yesterday. On this International women’s day celebration, let us learn to face reality, support data and implement result-oriented approaches that support women’s growth and development. We need to make it clear that Equity is either that or nothing at all. We need to let women’s decisions work and teach our communities to embrace Women, their decisions and priorities if we want to see change.

As the theme for this year goes, Lets #EmbraceEquity and make it work for women and girls in our societies. Let us support women opportunities to education, to STEM and to fundamental human rights for all persons. We have worked together to get here, lets review performance and if need be, return to the table for comprehensive support towards efforts that promote concrete equity for women and girls.

I thank you.