Celebrating of women’s day on 8th March 2014 and what it reflects

On 1^st March 2014, local leaders appeared on HITS FM to discuss the yet to be celebrated women’s day that will take place on 8^th March 2014 and what it reflects to women of Uganda. This was during the ‘Orukurato Program’ on HITS FM, a 2 hour weekly radio program that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (08:00-10:00pm) that is sponsored by ToroDev. 

ToroDev's Recheal(right) with women of Hakibaale Sub County

The live radio discussion was attended by Miss Kajumbu Rose, the District Women councilor for Mugusu Sub County, Mrs. Faith Nyakairu, the District Women councilor for South Division, Fort Portal Municipality, Miss Kabatambuzi Ann, the District Women councilor for Rwimi Town Council and Miss Linda Irene, a local citizen, all in Kabarole District. 

During the discussion, Miss Linda Irene discussed the back ground of celebrating women’s day. “Celebrating of women’s day started in 1967 after Uganda’s participation in the United Nations’ conference that discussed women’s exploitation in Geneva, Switzerland. During the conference, all the countries signed a law known as “Convention of elimination of all forms of Violence”. This meant that Uganda was going to implement this law and add it to the Ugandan Constitution”.

Miss Rose also participated in the live radio discussion by highlighting the benefits of the law to the women of Uganda. “The implementation of the ‘Convention of elimination of all forms of Violence’ law has brought benefits to women such as empowering them with developments, having equality in society, participation in leadership, raising of women’s voices, protection against violence, among others. 

Meanwhile, Miss Anna indicated how the law has not addressed some of the challenges that are still faced by women. “There is still a wide spread of violence on women due to ignorance of the law and their rights, denial of education and property, among others. However, women should not use the law to under look men but should look at it as a way of helping them to have equal rights with men that will have a positive impact in realizing development”.

Miss Kajumba also appealed to women to embrace entrepreneurship so as to develop. “Women should embrace entrepreneurship through joining the Uganda Small Scale Industry that made a program of offering training every year. The training includes hand crafts, hair making, cereal milling, sawing clothes, printer, among others. Women should also have in mind that every business requires patience, therefore, they should stop looking at men for survival but instead embrace entrepreneurship”.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto.