Female MPs push for urgent action on sanitary pads, access to loans

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As Uganda prepares to celebrate International Women's Day on Saturday, 8th March 2025, female Members of Parliament (MPs) have called for greater attention to issues affecting women, including the availability of sanitary pads, improved access to loans, land, and greater respect for women’s rights.

Christine Nakimero, Woman Representative for Kiboga (NUP), voiced concern over the shortage of sanitary pads and inadequate facilities for women.

She highlighted the disparity in access to basic health items, pointing out that while products like condoms, which primarily benefit men, are readily available, essential sanitary items for women are scarce.

Brenda Nabukenya, Woman Representative for Luwero (NUP), brought attention to the troubling situation of women in custody, who are often denied access to sanitary towels and proper facilities.

She called for urgent action to address the social, security, and healthcare challenges women face in such circumstances.

Christine Akello, Woman Representative for Erute County North (NRM), raised concerns about the abuse of female suspects in public, noting that women are sometimes undressed and beaten by the public.

She described this as a clear violation of women’s rights, adding that male perpetrators often target women’s private parts, referring to it as the ‘central government’ of women.

These MPs were responding to a statement to Parliament on Thursday 6 March 2025 delivered by the minister for gender, labour and social development, Betty Amongi, as Uganda gears up for the observance of International Women’s Day.

Amongi acknowledged that while progress has been made, the gender gap in Uganda remains significant.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, Uganda has made modest strides, reducing its gender gap score from 0.6797 in 2006 to 0.706 in 2024.

However, she stressed that development still tends to favor men and boys, with a score of 1 representing full gender equality.

The Global Gender Gap Index tracks disparities in four key areas: i) Economic Participation and Opportunity, ii) Educational Attainment, iii) Health and Survival, and iv) Political Empowerment.

While Amongi highlighted that progress is visible, she emphasized that much more needs to be done to close these gaps and achieve true gender equality in the country.

During the day, individuals who have championed gender equality across the 12 Priority Areas of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action will be recognized.

These areas include; women and poverty, education and training, health, violence against women, armed conflict, economic empowerment, political representation, and more.

A total of 46 individuals will be honored with medals for 42 women and 4 men.

This year’s International Women’s Day will be celebrated under the global theme: "Accelerate Action for Gender Equality," with events taking place in Kyankwanzi District.

Amongi noted the increasing participation of women in leadership roles. Currently, there are 32 senior ministers, with 14 women (44%), compared to just 30% in 2016.

Women now occupy critical positions such as Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers.

In the public service, women hold 17 of the 34 Permanent Secretary positions, 15 of 39 CEO roles, and 14 of 37 Ambassadorial appointments.

The number of female Members of Parliament (MPs) has also grown.

Currently, 175 MPs are women, including 146 District Women MPs, making up 34% of the total representation in Parliament. Women also make up 45.7% of elected leaders in Local Government.

However, the number of female chairpersons at different local levels remains low, with only 3% at LC3, 6.5% at LC2, and 3% at LC1 levels. Notably, only five of Uganda's 146 districts have female chairpersons, and just one out of 11 city mayors is a woman.

Despite these gains, several MPs raised concerns about the continued challenges facing women and girls in Uganda.

Juliet Kakande, Woman Representative for Masaka City (NUP), called for the day to be used to raise awareness of women’s rights and empowerment, rather than serving as a platform for political campaigns.

Christine Apolot, Woman Rep. for Kumi (NRM), expressed disappointment that many districts, including her own, have little to celebrate this year.

Maneno Zumura, Woman Representative for Obongi (NRM), urged men to take responsibility for their families by caring for their children, supporting their wives, and providing homes for their families.

Zumura cautioned husbands against seeking mistresses and neglecting their wives.

Gule Avako, Woman Representative for Yumbe (NRM), noted the barriers women face in accessing loans due to a lack of collateral, which hinders their ability to build businesses.

Dorcus Acen, Woman Representative for Alebtong (NRM), criticized the allocation of large sums of money for organizing celebrations while many women struggle to access financial resources.

Acen pointed out that initiatives like the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) are not benefiting many women, especially those in rural areas.

Flavia Kabahenda, Woman Representative for Kyegegwa, raised concern about the rising number of child parents and called for policies to reintegrate them into the educational system.