Women launch their 11-point agenda for 2011 and beyond

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On 5th October 2010, women from all walks of life gathered at the Sheraton hotel in Kampala for the launch of the Uganda Women’s Agenda 2011-2016 “Equal by Right.”
Coming at a time when Uganda is preparing for its general elections in 2011, women spearheaded by Forum for Women in Democracy presented eleven thematic pillars that government and political parties need to focus on over the next five years if the women of Uganda are to realize meaningful empowerment. These include Democracy and Governance; Information; Communication and Technology; Environment; Economic Empowerment; Women with Special Needs; Human Rights and the Law; Peace, Human Security and Dignity; Health; Education;  Institutional Mechanisms; and Uganda in Regional, International Context.

Dr. Matembe expressed her disappointment for the absence of government and political party leaders. “I want on behalf of the women of this land to express my greatest disappointment that the government of Uganda is not recognizing us…” she urged fellow women to join hands in the struggle for women emancipation in this country.



Other speakers included Ms. Patricia Munabi Babiiha the Executive Director of FOWODE who stated that the agenda is a political document highlighting key areas that the women’s movement will prioritize over the next five years. Ms. Solome Nakaweesi Kimbugwe presented the demands set by women for each of the eleven points and these included the need for achieving 50:50 gender parity in all elective and appointive positions within government and political parties.

Of critical concern was the demand for government to review the electoral process and enact relevant legislation that will guarantee violent free political processes and those that promotes women’s participation in electoral processes.

Other key demands include the need to increase women’s access to markets, credit services and strengthening the regulatory framework for more equal ownership and control over productive assets like land and improving maternity health care services to reduce maternal mortality.
The women also released a song that will be used to promote the agenda in a nationwide awareness raising campaign to ensure that all Ugandans are aware of the 11-point agenda and are in position to demand for accountability from their political party leaders and more equitable services from government.

Women NGOs were called on to support women politicians who face extradition and intimidation within their political parties. They also challenged each other to be more assertive and use their numerical strength to ignite the fading political will in the struggle for women‘s empowerment.


By Carol Namagembe, Communications Officer FOWODE

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