Uganda has been urged to increase investment in programmes that promote gender equality and empower women, as the country joined the rest of the world in marking International Women’s Day.
Leaders, development partners and gender advocates said greater financial and policy commitment is needed to accelerate progress in areas such as education, economic empowerment, healthcare and leadership opportunities for women and girls.
The call was made during national celebrations organised by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Uganda, which highlighted the importance of strengthening investments that support women’s rights and participation in national development.
Investing in Women’s Empowerment
Officials noted that while Uganda has made progress in promoting gender equality, many women still face challenges such as limited access to resources, gender-based violence, and unequal economic opportunities.
They emphasized that scaling up investment in programmes targeting women can help address these challenges and improve livelihoods. Such investments include support for women entrepreneurs, improved access to education for girls, and initiatives that protect women from violence and discrimination.
Government representatives also stressed that empowering women is not only a social issue but also an economic priority, as women play a critical role in agriculture, trade and small-scale businesses across the country.
Role of Education and Economic Opportunities
Education was highlighted as one of the key drivers of gender equality. Stakeholders noted that ensuring girls stay in school and complete their education increases their chances of finding employment, starting businesses and contributing to national development.
In addition, expanding access to financial services and training programmes can enable more women to participate actively in the economy.
A Collective Responsibility
Development partners and civil society organisations also called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and communities to ensure that gender equality initiatives are well funded and effectively implemented.
They stressed that achieving gender equality requires collective effort and sustained commitment from all sectors of society.
Looking Ahead
As Uganda marked International Women’s Day, leaders reiterated that scaling up investment in women and girls will help accelerate progress toward inclusive development and equal opportunities.
They noted that empowering women not only improves the wellbeing of families and communities but also contributes to sustainable national growth and social transformation.
