Speaker of parliament Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has congratulated forum for women in Democracy, FOWODE upon celebrating its 21st anniversary of fighting for women’s rights.
Kadaga was today morning speaking as a chief guest at the launch of the caravan, a vehicle that will traverse 7 districts showcasing the organization’s achievements in the past 21 years.
The speaker said FOWODE has mentored several women in leadership since her inception and that she was delighted to see many women boldly joining leadership positions and willing to contribute to Uganda’s political agenda.
“FOWODE has spearheaded gender budget advocacy in Uganda and has aggressively and consistently lobbied my office to influence legislation and ensure gender budgeting in the national budget” said the speaker.
The speaker appreciated the role of women’s organizations in promoting good governance and democracy in Uganda that steered Uganda to the gains the country achieved in the 1995 constitution.
“In a special way, I thank FOWODE whose journey we celebrate today for having stood the test of time and risen above the patriarchal prejudices to empower both the rural and urban woman to find her voice on critical issues affecting her. She, together with other partners, very actively engaged in the most recently concluded elections by setting up the women’s situation room here in Uganda which ensured peaceful elections countrywide” Kadaga added.
The chairperson FOWODE Board, Ms. Salome Nakaweesi Kayondo said that over the last 21 years, the organization has made a clear footprint within the gender equality, women’s empowerment and democracy and governance arenas.
“In 21 years, we have made a mark not only nationally but on Africa through various capacity building activities. I must say women around the world are breaking the glass ceiling in politics, academics, social and economic arena” Nakaweesi said.
FOWODE’s celebrations of her coming of age started on Saturday November 26th 2016, celebrating the leadership journeys of a cadre of 511 FOWODE Young Leaders Alumni whose capacities were built and mentored by the organization and will run for two weeks until Saturday, 10th December 2016, including with a Grand Dinner celebrations at Serena Hotel Kampala under the theme; “Celebrating women empowerment; shaping the future.”
At the end of the ceremony which took place at the Uganda museum this morning, Kadaga flagged off the caravan which will traverse the districts of Kabale, Gulu, Napak, Kibuku, Pallisa and Mityana.
