The minister of lands Judith Nabakooba, and  chief guest at Kassanda District’s belated Women’s Day celebration, praised the government for its commitment to advancing gender equality through affirmative action, which she said has empowered marginalized women.

Speaking at the event held at St. Charles Lwanga Lwanjiri Catholic Parish playground in Kalwana Sub-county, Nabakooba acknowledged the significant contributions of women leaders in organizing the event and the collective effort of women across the district to celebrate their achievements.

She recalled how, before the introduction of affirmative action, women were confined to traditional roles, but now, women have the opportunity to participate in leadership and contribute to the country’s growth.

“Before the government introduced affirmative action for women, we used to be housewives. Our roles were to produce and raise children, take care of gardens and stay at home. But now the narrative has changed,” Nabakooba said.

The Minister lauded President Yoweri Museveni’s administration for empowering women, urging them to take advantage of government programs designed to enhance financial stability and gender equality. She emphasized the importance of women working hard to ensure the realization of these goals.

“The President encourages us to work hard, and this government has transformed us as women to ensure gender equality. We have powerful women in this country doing commendable jobs through leadership established by the President,” Nabakooba remarked.

Nabakooba encouraged women to make use of government initiatives like the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), GROW, Parish Development Model (PDM), and Emyooga, which are designed to alleviate poverty and improve livelihoods. Kassanda District has so far received 116 million UGX in UWEP funds, supporting various women-led projects.

Serina Kasozi, the Chairperson of the Kyankwanzi District Women Council, shared that 18 women’s groups in her area had benefited from UWEP funding, with grants ranging from 5 to 8 million UGX. These funds have supported various initiatives such as goat rearing, poultry keeping, bull fattening, dairy farming, and tailoring.

Kasozi noted that the day provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made toward women’s empowerment and to inspire young girls to pursue their dreams and become leaders.

Kassanda District Resident Commissioner Phoebe Namulindwa highlighted the importance of men supporting women, emphasizing that a strong family unit depends on the partnership between men and women. She condemned domestic violence, which she said often stems from poverty.

Rev. Fr. Robert Migadde, a priest at St. Charles Lwanga Lwanjiri, also praised Minister Nabakooba for her support of the Catholic Church’s activities in the region, reinforcing the theme of unity in advancing women’s rights and gender equality.

The event, themed “Accelerating Action for Gender Equality,” was attended by a large number of women from across the district, as well as local leaders, students, and community members.