By Davis Buyondo
Masaka-Uganda
A group of women leaders in Uganda has united to tackle gender disparities and increase political representation. Under the banner of ‘Let’s Turn The Page-Uganda’ (TLP Uganda National Coalition), the group aims to address challenges such as gender-based violence, limited access to education and healthcare, economic disparity, cultural and social biases, and insufficient political representation.
The group comprises five member organizations from five sub-regions of the country, including the Community Transformation Foundation Network (COTFONE) in Greater Masaka Sub-region, Mid-west Regional Anti-Corruption Coalition (MIRAC) in Bunyoro Sub-region, Local Sustainable Community Organisation (LOSCAL) in Kigezi Sub-region, Support Transformation Efforts Program (STEP) in Bugisu Sub-region and Vision International Actors (VIA) in Rwenzururu sub-region.
Their initial step was to educate female leaders in the five regions about the necessary requirements to establish a powerful advocacy movement and to know their responsibilities in achieving and executing their objectives.
Political Representation
Led by Emmily Kabahumuza from MIRAC, the group seeks to enhance women’s political representation by promoting legal changes and policies that foster gender equality, creating opportunities for women to nurture their leadership abilities, and addressing gender-based violence.
With diverse backgrounds and expertise, she believes, it will be easy for them to share knowledge, resources, and strategies. By working together, she noted, these organizations are able to leverage their collective power and create a more significant impact.
‘Our efforts are focused on enhancing women’s political representation by promoting legal changes and policies that foster gender equality. Additionally, we aim to create avenues for women to nurture their leadership abilities,” she explains.
They are also working to address gender-based violence and promote women’s access to education and healthcare by providing training and education on women’s rights and Kabahumuza observes that even though the government has endeavoured to promote gender equality and eradicate gender bias, women in Uganda still encounter notable hurdles when it comes to political representation.
According to the World Bank data from 2020, the population of Uganda was approximately 47.7 million. Of this, the estimated female population was 23.9 million, which is roughly 50.1% of the total population, while the estimated male population was 23.8 million, which is roughly 49.9% of the total population.
However, much as they are the majority in the country, women are poorly represented i.e women hold only about 35% of the seats in the Ugandan parliament.
“We have united to further challenge the patriarchal systems that have prevented women from fully participating in politics and ensure that women’s voices are completely heard at all levels of government,” she states, noting that they are also seeking to create opportunities for women to develop their leadership skills and to encourage more women to run for political office.
Women also face significant cultural and social barriers to their participation in politics, such as traditional gender roles and patriarchal attitudes that view women as inferior to men.
“Women bring unique perspectives and experiences to political discussions and decision-making, which can lead to more inclusive and effective policies,” she Kabahumuza.
Studies have also shown that increasing the representation of women in political positions can lead to improved governance, including more transparent and accountable decision-making processes.
By seeing women in positions of power, she said, young girls can be inspired to pursue their own leadership aspirations and have greater confidence in their abilities to achieve their goals.
Additionally, by increasing the representation of women in political positions, there is a greater chance that policies and laws addressing gender-based violence and other issues affecting women will be prioritized and effectively implemented.
“So, this is a strong union and determined to push various initiatives and programs aim to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive society for all Ugandans,” Kabahumuza emphasised.
Policy on Sanitary Pad Distribution in Schools
The women are also advocating for the implementation of a policy on the distribution of sanitary pads in schools. The group acknowledges the significance of providing sanitary pads to the learners.
According to Florence Nakandi from COTFONE, they believe that the provision of sanitary pads can help to reduce absenteeism during menstruation, improve academic performance, promote gender equality, address menstrual stigma, improve hygiene, support girls’ health and empower them, reduce drop-out rates, address poverty, and promote sustainable development.
According to her, the availability of sanitary pads is a fundamental requirement for girls during menstruation. However, in Uganda, a significant number of girls cannot afford them, which leads to absenteeism and adversely affects their education.
She suggests that distributing sanitary pads for free or at a subsidized cost in schools would enable girls to obtain this essential item and ensure gender equity, giving all girls equal opportunities to excel in their studies.
The advocacy for access to sanitary pads is crucial to prevent poor menstrual hygiene among girls, which can result in infections and other health problems, according to Nakandi. Providing sanitary pads in schools, she stresses, can promote good menstrual hygiene practices among girls and minimize the risk of health issues.
Moreover, to reduce absenteeism among girls, Nakandi proposes that providing free or affordable sanitary pads in schools would be beneficial. This move would ensure that girls do not miss out on regular studies and fall behind in their academic performance.
“Girls in rural Uganda and hard-to-reach communities, such as those on islands, often miss school during their menstrual periods due to the lack of sanitary pads, resulting in a significant amount of missed lessons that negatively affect their academic progress” she explains.
The group is working so hard to address social stigma saying that in Uganda, menstruation is often a taboo subject, causing girls to feel embarrassed or ashamed to attend school during their periods. “Distributing sanitary pads in schools would help tackle this social stigma and promote a more open and accepting attitude towards menstruation,” she emphasised.
Sex For Pads
According to Honest Kyomugisha from LOSCO, the Kigezi sub-region experiences a prevalent and concerning practice of trading sex for pads. She mentions that some girls resort to sexual activities with men in exchange for sanitary pads. This conduct, she adds, frequently leads to untimely and unwanted pregnancies among minors in Uganda, in various ways.
She further stresses that engaging in sexual activity at a young age may heighten the likelihood of undesired pregnancies. She clarifies, “Young girls may not have a complete understanding of the implications of sexual intercourse, such as the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).”
STEP Uganda’s Soulmy Noeline Nabbosa pointed out that in Mbale, men often exploit girls by offering to supply them with sanitary pads. Subsequently, they engage in unprotected sexual activities with them, leading to a rise in the occurrences of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and undesired pregnancies.
Still, there are concerns about potential exploitation and abuse since some of these men who offer pads could be significantly older. “Regardless, this can result in physical, psychological, and emotional damage to the girls,” states Nabbosa.
Moreover, in instances where girls trade sex for pads, they may not have the liberty to select their sexual partners or negotiate safe sex measures. “This situation often makes them vulnerable to being forced or sexually abused,” she recollects.
Way Forward
The women have documented several potential measures to reach their objective, including the promotion of women’s political participation. This could be achieved by implementing affirmative action policies, such as parliamentary quotas for women’s representation, to increase their presence in both national and local governments.
In addition, conducting awareness and education campaigns to highlight the significance of women’s involvement in politics is crucial.
Regarding the challenge of cultural and social barriers, Nabbosa says, the importance of addressing the view of women as inferior to men and traditional gender roles that limit women’s political participation. To accomplish this, she adds, education and awareness campaigns should be conducted regularly to alter these attitudes and behaviours.
According to Honest Kyomugisha, the laws that address gender-based violence and other issues affecting women should be prioritised and effectively implemented. “By increasing the representation of women in political positions, there is a greater chance that policies and laws addressing gender-based violence can be brought to the table, dissected and effectively implemented by the state,” she emphasises.
By implementing these proposed action plans, she adds, the group can foster a more equitable, inclusive, and fair society for all Ugandans, and advance the principles of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.
About TLP Uganda
TLP Uganda is a non-governmental organization promoting democracy, civic engagement, and political participation in Uganda. The organization aims to empower women and other marginalized groups to take an active role in shaping their communities and advancing their rights. Through various initiatives and programs, TLP Uganda seeks to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive society for all Ugandans.
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