Published on 24/10/2024
On October 23, 2024, the Uganda Women’s Movement met with Speaker of Parliament Anita Among to discuss challenges faced by rural women.
The Speaker emphasized the need for solidarity among women leaders and pledged Ugx. 100 million towards the construction of the Imara Women’s Centre, a FOWODE initiative.
This center will focus on empowering rural women through education and resources. The movement’s leaders were urged to direct their advocacy towards uplifting the most vulnerable.
Speaker Among said the main agenda should be that of uplifting the most disadvantaged, rural women in the countryside.
“Let us reach out to the local women at the grassroots and see how they live with a view to improve their conditions. What does the movement do for local women, the rural girl child to encourage and support them to one day become like you?” she said.
Led by Ms Isabella Akiteng, the women leaders from various organisations acknowledged the Speaker’s efforts in improving the livelihoods of women and girls in Bukedea and across the country, mainly through provision of education scholarships to the most deserving.
“We want to celebrate your achievements; we have observed your resilience, and we are here to stand with you. We celebrate your efforts in girl child education, the work you are doing in Bukedea, and also in provision of subidised healthcare to rural women,” said Ms Akiteng.
Ms Patricia Munabi, the Executive Director of FOWODE said the women movement recognises Speaker Among’s work and that it stands ready to support her whenever required.
She introduced the Imara Women’s Centre project to the Speaker saying it is meant to generate income to support women causes.
“The Imara Women’s Centre’s aim is to make a contribution to sustain the work that we do as the women’s movement; we thought about the centre as an enterprise to generate income,” she said.
Among said women leaders should stand in solidarity and support women in leadership to navigate the unique challenges they face.
“Let us work together and be each other’s keepers while we are in these positions; I want a women’s movement which protects our cultures and values; I pledge my full support to all your initiatives,” she said.
Former Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Winfred Kiiza, was also in attendance.
