World comes together for International Women's Day
7th March 2009
Margot James, Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party for women celebrated International Women’s Day in Uganda with the Federation for Democratic Change (FDC) Women’s League.
The Conservative Party have funded and led a training programme for the FDC Women’s League which has taken place across Uganda during the three months. The programme led to the Women’s League launching ‘Women 2 Win Uganda,’ to encourage women to come forward to stand for public office and equip them with the skills necessary for the advancement of women’s interests in Uganda.
Speaking at an FDC rally in Kampala yesterday Margot James stated this was her sixth visit to Africa. She had been involved in helping women’s organisations become more effective in different African countries over a ten year period. Margot said “despite the income inequalities between Britain and Uganda we have many of the same problems, domestic violence and health inequalities for example, but these problems have a common root cause and that is that there are not enough women where decisions are taken, in both countries we need more women in public life”.
Margot paid tribute to the women of Uganda who had been so involved in the winning of independence for their country, only to be left behind as the male ruling elite had taken power and, according to the world bank, were siphoning off half a billion dollars a year for corruption and self gain.
Dr Kizza Besigye, President of the FDC, told the gathering that women should be at the forefront of the battle against the government. He wanted to see many more women candidates standing for the FDC in the 2011 elections. There was a need to drastically reduce corruption in government and military spending. Funds released from these areas would go to education, healthcare and the building of roads to improve the opportunities for the poor in rural areas.
