Problems Facing Uganda
Gender Equality
Problem:
Women's rights in Uganda are violated continually. The violence against women in Uganda remains widespread.
Women remain submissive to men and bear the burdens of housekeeping, child rearing, fetching water, cooking and tending to community and male needs. Women lack the support to be empowered economically.
Women's rights in Uganda are violated continually. The violence against women in Uganda remains widespread.
Women remain submissive to men and bear the burdens of housekeeping, child rearing, fetching water, cooking and tending to community and male needs. Women lack the support to be empowered economically.
Causes:
In Uganda women's roles are clearly subordinate to those of men, despite the substantial economic and social responsibilities of women in Uganda's many traditional societies. Women are taught to accede to the wishes of their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sometimes other men as well, and to demonstrate their subordination to men in most areas of public life.
It has been observed that the major factors responsible for the acute poverty in Uganda are gender division and lack of proper labor utilization.
In Uganda women's roles are clearly subordinate to those of men, despite the substantial economic and social responsibilities of women in Uganda's many traditional societies. Women are taught to accede to the wishes of their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sometimes other men as well, and to demonstrate their subordination to men in most areas of public life.
It has been observed that the major factors responsible for the acute poverty in Uganda are gender division and lack of proper labor utilization.
Solution:
“The Domestic Violence Act does not address some major obstacles preventing access to justice for victims, including the costs of the complaint process. Furthermore, the law was adopted without a dedicated budget so full implementation is impossible. We call upon the government to urgently provide all necessary means to implement the law,” said Maria Nassali, CEO, FIDA Uganda.
Since the entry into force of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, de-localization of the practice across the Kenyan border has developed, while other harmful traditional practices in Uganda remain prevalent, including early and forced marriage, abduction of girls, “widow inheritance” and “wife sharing”. A concerted strategy involving all key stakeholders towards eliminating harmful traditional practices is required.
“Continuing violations of women’s rights in Uganda is also linked to women’s lack of economic empowerment. Women hardly own any land and the law prevents them from inheriting property. If the government is serious about tackling discrimination and violence, these issues must be addressed as a matter of priority,” concluded Sophie Bessis, FIDH Deputy Secretary General.
"Ugandan women have been waiting too long for a law that would protect their basic rights. We call upon the new parliament to adopt the Marriage and Divorce Bill without further delay. Parliament must also act to ensure that Muslim women receive full protection of their rights, in accordance with Uganda’s international obligations and the Constitution. We will continue to fight discrimination against all women in Uganda,” said Sheila Nabachwa, FHRI Deputy Director of Programmes.
“The Domestic Violence Act does not address some major obstacles preventing access to justice for victims, including the costs of the complaint process. Furthermore, the law was adopted without a dedicated budget so full implementation is impossible. We call upon the government to urgently provide all necessary means to implement the law,” said Maria Nassali, CEO, FIDA Uganda.
Since the entry into force of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, de-localization of the practice across the Kenyan border has developed, while other harmful traditional practices in Uganda remain prevalent, including early and forced marriage, abduction of girls, “widow inheritance” and “wife sharing”. A concerted strategy involving all key stakeholders towards eliminating harmful traditional practices is required.
“Continuing violations of women’s rights in Uganda is also linked to women’s lack of economic empowerment. Women hardly own any land and the law prevents them from inheriting property. If the government is serious about tackling discrimination and violence, these issues must be addressed as a matter of priority,” concluded Sophie Bessis, FIDH Deputy Secretary General.
"Ugandan women have been waiting too long for a law that would protect their basic rights. We call upon the new parliament to adopt the Marriage and Divorce Bill without further delay. Parliament must also act to ensure that Muslim women receive full protection of their rights, in accordance with Uganda’s international obligations and the Constitution. We will continue to fight discrimination against all women in Uganda,” said Sheila Nabachwa, FHRI Deputy Director of Programmes.