Making the numbers work for women’s effective participation in politics

The number of women participating in politics in Uganda today is progressively increasing both at national and local levels. However the celebration of such milestones may be short lived if the numbers do not translate into the emergence and existence of more gender responsive policies and programs both at national and local levels. Such policies and programs are albeit significant for the creation of gender sensitive and equal societies in the future. While women in politics face numerous challenges in execution of their roles and responsibilities, those at local council levels especially the sub counties have their own peculiar woes they grapple with. It is these diverse and multifaceted challenges which down play their effectiveness to adequately front the needs of the people and communities they represent.

In a just concluded training workshop on leadership and management for sub county female councillors conducted on the 7^th and 8^th August in the districts of Dokolo, Pader and Namutumba under the project “building and amplifying women’s voices in economic and Political development” the constraints local women leaders face in execution of their duties were found to be outstanding. The intentions for which they competed to represent their communities may have been good but the low levels of education which characterise over 90% of these leaders curtails their effective deliberation on key issues. This has been used by the technical people to pass resolutions without the leaders fully understanding the impact such decisions would have on their electorate. Relatedly is the carrying out of their duties without reference books especially those which inform them of their mandates including roles and responsibilities.

Up to 85% of the local leaders were yet to read the Uganda 1995 Constitution and the Local Government Act among other key resource books which are meant to boost their knowledge and consequently effectively deliberate on issues of community interest. These challenges coupled with the low self esteem of the local women leaders has contributed to their dismal participation in council and among their electorate. While a range of programmes to enhance women’s political participation have been undertaken at national levels, this training was an eye opener to a significant reality. Women leaders need to be nurtured and mentored from the grass roots. Once this is done, as they climb the ladder to the national platform it then becomes easy for them to synthesise amongst key issues of community and national interest objectively.

After the two days training there was an appreciation among the leaders of their roles especially giving accountability to their electorate which some had never considered. Additionally was the understanding of how to go about the mobilisation of resources given the resource constrained situations in which they operate.

Amidst the obstacles cited, there are so many opportunities still to tap into by the women leaders for their political presence to be felt. A concerted effort by all actors would make the journey shorter as we help our women leaders get there.

Yossa Daisy Immaculate

Project Officer-FLOW

Action For Development

Email: yossa@acfode.org