Kampala, Uganda – The speaker of the 11th parliament R.t Hon. Anita Among has pledged UGX. 100 Million towards the construction of the Imara Women’s Centre, a brainchild of the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), calling on the women leaders to show solidarity to one another.
The speaker made the pledge while meeting the group today at parliament, where the former Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Winfred Kiiza, was also in attendance.
Speaker Among said the main agenda should be that of uplifting the most disadvantaged, rural women in the countryside.
“Let us reach out to the local women at the grassroots and see how they live with a view to improve their conditions. What does the movement do for local women, the rural girl child to encourage and support them to one day become like you?” she said.
Led by Ms Isabella Akiteng, the women leaders from various organisations acknowledged the Speaker’s efforts in improving the livelihoods of women and girls in Bukedea and across the country, mainly through provision of education scholarships to the most deserving.
“We want to celebrate your achievements; we have observed your resilience, and we are here to stand with you. We celebrate your efforts in girl child education, the work you are doing in Bukedea, and also in provision of subsidised healthcare to rural women,” said Ms Akiteng.
Ms Patricia Munabi, the Executive Director of FOWODE said the women movement recognises Speaker Among’s work and that it stands ready to support her whenever required.
She introduced the Imara Women’s Centre project to the Speaker saying it is meant to generate income to support women causes.
“The Imara Women’s Centre’s aim is to make a contribution to sustain the work that we do as the women’s movement; we thought about the centre as an enterprise to generate income,” she said.
Among said women leaders should stand in solidarity and support women in leadership to navigate the unique challenges they face.
“Let us work together and be each other’s keepers while we are in these positions; I want a women’s movement which protects our cultures and values; I pledge my full support to all your initiatives,” she said.
