Women rights and Gender equality: How much has Uganda achieved?

In 1995, decision-makers, civil society organisations, and women gathered in Beijing, China, to discuss women rights, and shape the global gender equality agenda.

The result of the historic Fourth World Conference on Women was the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) aimed to achieve greater equality and opportunity for women.

As the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) began its 69th session last month at UN Headquarters in New York USA, marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, The New Vision’s Jacky Achan spoke to Dr. Angela Nakafero, Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs, in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, who was in New York, on progress made in Uganda in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Q: At 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, what are the notable achievements registered in Uganda?

A: In 1995, the world agreed on 12 critical areas for gender equality and women's empowerment, including poverty eradication, universal education, eliminating violence against women, improving health, the environment, institutional mechanisms, human rights, media presence, power and decision making, conflict resolution, economic and girl child empowerment.

Back then most Ugandan women particularly those in female-headed households, were living in poverty. There were numerous wars going on including the war in northern Uganda. But, that was the time Uganda was discussing the constitution.  Uganda's 1995 constitution turned out to be one of the best globally for promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.

It institutionalized affirmative action, including women in leadership, politics, and education. Some of us were the first beneficiaries of affirmative action on university admission. It was a breakthrough for Ugandan women and girls. Uganda has adopted numerous laws and policies to address women's interests and rights. It is one of the areas we celebrate.

The laws have led to programs and projects have helped promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Uganda has reduced gender inequalities, poverty, achieved equality in primary and secondary education, and increased women's representation in higher institutions.

At university, women now constitute 46% of learners. It was not the case before. Furthermore, the number of girls in Uganda's business and vocational training has improved.  However, challenges remain due to negative social norms and factors such as child marriage, and teenage pregnancy contribute to girls dropping out of school. Nonetheless, most parents now value girl education.

The Ministry of Education and Sports has designed programs such as the Girl Child Education Program and the Gender Equality Program to ensure girls have access to education.

Q: Affirmative action has been a major achievement for women, but some argue that it now puts men at a disadvantage. Given this concern, do you think it's time to reconsider or even scrap it?

Uganda isn’t ready to scrap affirmative action. Uganda has made progress in affirmative action for women in education, with women comprising 46% of university students. However, there are gaps in science fields such as medicine and engineering. The 1.5 women still need it.

Uganda needs to review affirmative action in arts studies vis-à-vis sciences not just apply it. We need women in science fields. These are better-paying fields. Gender equality is not just about numbers, but also about other dimensions.

Yes, we've achieved some numbers in education, but other inequalities exist that require special attention. In politics, for example, women currently constitute 34% of parliament, while men hold 66% of seats. Much as some may question women’s capacity to legislate effectively, that ability is built over time. Besides, do we subject men to the same scrutiny?

What I see is that Ugandans are scared of the little gains that women have made. If women make up just 34% of legislators, should that be cause for alarm? Research on affirmative action in Uganda is ongoing. We need to review how we apply affirmative action, but the principle of affirmative action remains essential.

We still need it. If we didn't have affirmative action for women in politics, with the level of male dominance that we have in Uganda, very few women would be able to compete. If affirmative action is lifted out of politics, even the small number of women legislators we have will not be there.

Q: What other achievements has Uganda registered in promoting women’s leadership?

Uganda has made significant strides in promoting women in decision-making, with women holding strategic positions in cabinet, such as vice-president, prime minister, and speaker. Because of affirmative action in politics, we have more women in parliament and women councillors at all levels of local government.

When it comes to women in public service, the numbers are also improving. The permanent secretaries are almost at 50-50. There's gender balance. These are the accounting officers in charge of government resources and guiding national development.

However, there is still a gap at the level of commissioners and assistant commissioners, a gap in middle-level decision-making. Women constitute only 27% of public servants. We are yet to achieve the critical mass, and I believe this is an area that the government of Uganda will also be able to deal with. But in terms of politics, we've achieved a lot.

Are Uganda’s women leaders meeting expectations, or is their quality still in question?

Uganda needs to strengthen capacity and skills of women leaders to make conscious laws and policies for national development. The country has enabling laws and policies for gender equality and women's empowerment, but capacity building is continuous.

Women leaders need to be given the opportunity to participate and develop their capacity to make conscious decisions. The world expects better results from all, including men, in achieving gender equality and women's empowerment. The government should continue to build capacity and ensure that women can deliver on their promises.

As we mark 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, what steps has Uganda taken to end conflict and promote peace for women?

The government has spent significant resources to end conflicts in northern Uganda. We've had other pockets of conflicts on the western boundary of Uganda with DRC. These are still going on. But at least internally, conflicts have always stopped. We are only having challenges with the neighbouring South Sudan and mainly DRC.

We are also hosting refugees from several countries, but peace in Uganda has been restored. Today, Ugandans are saying, at least we can sleep. Peace and stability are great milestones.

Uganda is currently implementing the Women, Peace and Security National Action Plans, aiming to prevent women from being subjected to instability and conflicts and to prevent gender-based violence as a tool of war. This has led to a more peaceful and stable Uganda, allowing the majority of Ugandans and the women refugees to live in peace and progress.

Q: When it comes to women’s health, what progress has been made since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action?

Uganda has made significant strides in health, with maternal mortality, which had stagnated at 336 over the last about 10 years, now at 180 women per 100,000 women delivering babies. This is due to improvements in family planning and a reduction in the age at which young girls start giving birth.

Previously, girls not in school gave birth at 15 to 16 years, but now are starting at 17 years. Infant mortality has also reduced. The health of the mother is a key factor in these improvements.

Some women are now economically empowered and able to pay for health services if the husband is not willing, and life expectancy has also improved, with women living up to 70 years, while men are dying at 66.9 years.

What are the challenges that have been faced in Uganda in the journey to empower women and girls and bring about equality?

Issues such as violence still force girls out of school. The Ministry of Education and Sports is implementing a program to eliminate violence against children in and around schools in response to the high levels of violence experienced during COVID-19. The Ministry of Gender, amidst challenges, have stepped up efforts to address increasing sexual violence within homes and communities perpetuated by relatives, and the results have started to show.

Physical violence slightly decreased from 55% in 2016 to 45% in 2022, but the biggest challenge remains sexual violence, work-related violence, and emotional violence. Mental health issues are also a concern, leading to violence and even loss of life. Uganda needs to focus on eradicating gender-based violence, particularly focusing on negative social norms and practices.

Q: How has Uganda strengthened institutional mechanisms to promote gender equality and empower women and girls?

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development is an institutional mechanism established by the constitution to ensure gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment. It addresses issues faced by various special categories, including persons with disabilities, older persons, young people, and women. The Ministry's presence signifies government's commitment to the gender agenda and women's empowerment.

Q: After 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, what are Uganda’s next steps for advancing gender equality?

The focus is on improving women's participation in leadership, education, and decision-making, ensuring girls stay in school and complete their education, reducing poverty, and empowering them economically.

The agenda also includes prioritising special programs to provide low-cost loans and equipment for income-generating activities for women. Also, as the world moves into the digital economy, women should be able to use technology for growth and transactions. No woman should be left behind.

We also find ourselves in very challenging circumstances where women and girls shoulder the burden of unpaid care and support work. So, we are planning to scale up advocacy on parenting so that care roles are shared, ensuring equal representation for women in employment, education, leadership positions, and income generation. Women should work eight hours with their partners, helping with family and unpaid work.