The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has called upon women leaders across Uganda to take an active role in protecting the girl child from harmful cultural practices, early marriages, female circumcision, rape, and school dropouts.
Speaking at the second Women’s Parliament, Speaker Among emphasized the urgent need to safeguard young girls from threats that hinder their education and future prospects.
She urged women in leadership positions to become advocates for change in their communities by challenging harmful traditions and promoting policies that support girls’ rights.
“We must ensure that the girl child is protected from rape, school dropouts, and early marriages. I am a mother of boys, but I love girls so much.”
Among further emphasized the importance of economic empowerment in breaking the cycles of poverty and vulnerability that often drive young girls into early marriages.
She also highlighted the need to strengthen family-level socialization and community sensitization to promote positive cultural values and protect the girl child.
“We need to strengthen socialization at the family level and sensitization, especially men on the need of gender inclusivity in the aspects of life,” she said.
She also lauded President Museveni for his commitment to economic empowerment programs for women, which have enabled many to achieve financial independence.
The Women’s Parliament, an annual platform for discussing gender issues, attracted hundreds of women leaders, policymakers, and activists from across Uganda.
Speaker, together with other Members of Parliament attended the second Women’s Parliament session under the theme, consolidating women’s social and economic transformation in Uganda ahead of Women’s Day celebrations on March, 8.
