Include women issues in manifesto- Women’s Forum

Women under their umbrella Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) have called on political parties vying for leadership of the country to include the women's manifesto in the 2021-2026 tenure.

This according to women will help to improve on their inclusiveness and participation both socially economically and politically.

The women made this call yesterday during the regional consultation meeting on 2021-2026 held at the green gardens hotel in Mbale city.

While reviewing the 2016-2021 manifesto, several women castigated the NRM government for not adhering to its manifesto especially on the five critical areas of health, education, economic empowerment, politics and decision making, and property rights.

The participants were drawn from the three districts of Kibuku, Mbale, and Bukedea.

Sabano Hilda from Kibuku said the NRM government has failed to improve on maternal health in most health facilities.

"We call upon our government to remember as the mothers you go to the facility but you find that there's no delivery beds, no gloves, no privacy in the wards, perennial drug stock-outs as mother's we are the most affected."

Nanfuna Rose from Mbale said the government should work on the road network leading to these facilities.

Aisha Mugoya said the government should take affirmative action to see that more girls are enrolled in schools and ensure that they complete their primary cycle.

On COVID 19, women feel that the government should equip health center IVs to carry tests.

Moses Kaggwa, the field officer FOWODE says women's manifesto is a tool that empowers Civil Society Organisations to hold leaders accountable for advancing gender equality because it's only when women and men have equal access to opportunities that the country experiences sustainable development.

"As CSO's we don't fight the government and we don't have that capacity but we negotiate."

According to Kaggwa, the women's manifesto aims at contributing toward the legacy of good governance, persuade government and political actors to priorities people-centered democracy, raise awareness about the gender issues among various stakeholders, and to provide a platform for negotiations between women and various political candidates highlighting issues affecting women.