As you celebrate success at your respective levels of leadership while putting into consideration that you will soon be sworn into power and start working, ACFODE calls for your overriding support in fronting women issues.
We encourage you to be mindful of the numerous challenges still faced by the Ugandan women.
Notably are; the high maternal mortality rate due to inadequate health facilities, difficulties in accessing education leading to high illiteracy rates where only 53% of females are literate compared 61 %males, injustice, unfavorable credit schemes and lack of other basic services. Women still trek long distances to fetch water and fuel wood and majority of them are still the beasts of burden. They literary keep the fire burning within the families and the communities. Though women are more than 50% of the Ugandan population, only 16%- 21% own land; though they till and contribute greatly to the economic advancement of their families and the nation, their value is not recognized nor appreciated.
Violence in all its forms is also still meted against women, both within the private and public sphere yet justice eludes them. The abject poverty experienced by the women also contributes to their vulnerability to violence and increases their risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections; and the physical trauma of violence and sexual assault experienced leaves scars and unimaginable emotional damage on many women; yet the culture of silence leaves the perpetrators un- apprehended.
This therefore calls for your colossal efforts in the struggle against injustice as we strive to achieve social justice, women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Submitted By Sandra Nassali
Public Relations & Communications Officer
Action For Development
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