By Pious Nsajja
very year on March 8th, Uganda joins the rest of the world in commemorating International Women’s Day. It is a time to celebrate the achievements of women and girls across all spheres of life.
However, beyond the celebrations lies a stark reality: gender inequality remains a significant barrier to Uganda’s progress.
For Uganda to achieve sustainable development, women’s empowerment must move from rhetoric to action, backed by legal frameworks and tangible commitments.Women’s empowerment is not just a social or economic issue, it is a fundamental human rights concern.
The ability of women and girls to access education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and political participation is enshrined in both international and regional human rights frameworks.
Yet, in Uganda, women continue to face systemic discrimination, gender-based violence, and limited access to resources. The persistent challenges in realizing women’s rights are a direct impediment to national progress.
Uganda’s National Development Plan III (NDP III) underscores the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment in achieving socio-economic transformation.
The plan acknowledges that women’s participation in leadership, business, and education is critical to national development.
However, the persistent gender wage gap, underrepresentation of women in decision-making, and cultural barriers hinder the realization of these objectives.
The government must strengthen affirmative action policies, invest in gender-responsive budgeting, and create economic opportunities tailored to women’s needs to fully harness their potential.Women’s empowerment is also central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
The goal calls for an end to discrimination against women and girls, elimination of violence, equal participation in leadership, and economic empowerment.
Uganda’s commitment to the SDGs requires intentional policies and programs that dismantle the structural barriers limiting women’s growth. This means addressing issues like unpaid care work, access to land and credit, and enhancing social protection measures for women and girls.
Additionally, Uganda is a signatory to the Maputo Protocol, one of the most progressive human rights instruments for the protection and promotion of women’s rights in Africa.
The protocol mandates states to ensure gender equality in education, economic participation, and political leadership, while also safeguarding women’s rights to health, including reproductive health.
While Uganda has made strides in adopting gender-sensitive laws, enforcement remains weak. For example, despite laws addressing gender-based violence (GBV), cases remain high, with limited access to justice for victims.
The full implementation of the Maputo Protocol must be prioritized to ensure that women’s rights are not just written policies but lived realities.
Although the government has made some progress towards promoting gender equality in leadership and decision-making through political participation and representation, cabinet appointments, and other leadership positions of women, there remains a lot to be desired.
To make women’s empowerment a reality, the following key things should be done:Firstly, ensure full implementation of legal frameworks; laws protecting women’s rights must be fully enforced, with stronger mechanisms for accountability and justice.
Secondly, increase investment in women’s economic empowerment; More funding should be allocated to initiatives that support women entrepreneurs, provide access to credit, and strengthen financial inclusion.
Thirdly, promote gender equality in leadership and decision-making; women’s representation in politics and corporate leadership must be enhanced through affirmative action and leadership training.
Fourthly, strengthen responses to gender-based violence (GBV); Uganda must invest in survivor-centered services, improve access to justice, and challenge harmful norms that perpetuate GBV.
And lastly, engage men as allies; male involvement in gender equality efforts is crucial in breaking down stereotypes and creating inclusive societies where all individuals thrive.
Women’s empowerment is not just a moral imperative; it is Uganda’s pathway to sustainable development. Without meaningful action, gender inequality will continue to slow down progress and limit the country’s potential.
As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2025, we must go beyond celebration and take bold steps to ensure that every woman and girl in Uganda can live with dignity, freedom, and opportunity. The time for action is now.
Pious Nsajja is the Communications Officer, National Coalition of Human Rights Defender Uganda
