The panelists at the public dialogue
The Week marked from 4th-8th March, 2019 featured a number of activities including online engagements and public dialogues on gender-related issues. Key issues discussed included masculinities, gender identities, commoditization of the female body (Ms Curvy Pageant), and the role of Universities in promoting gender equity.
At the public dialogue on the “Role of Universities in Promoting Gender Equity” held on 7th March 2019 at the School of Women and Gender Studies, academics and feminists called on the leadership of Universities to strengthen Gender Units as one of the measures of bridging the gender gap.
In her keynote address presented by Dr Fred Kindi, Prof. Christine Dranzoa, Vice Chancellor, Muni University decried the underrepresentation of women in various leadership structures at Universities.
The Deputy Ambassador of Sweden delivers his remarks
Prof. Dranzoa also decried the increasing number of girl children dropping out of school. She attributed this to early marriages, teenage pregnancies and gender insensitive school environments.
She called for policy reforms, affirmative action and gender audits in all sections of universities to address the challenges that may widen the gender gap. “Policy reform is an imperative in recognition to reproductive roles of women in workplace, research and innovation platforms. Regulatory Authorities at national and international levels should include gender equality as performance indicators. Research funding agencies should also emphasize gender as an area for assessment of grants applications,” she advised.
In his remarks, Swedish Deputy Ambassador in Uganda noted that Gender equality is an important aspect of his government’s support to Makerere University and other institutions of learning.
Dr David Owiny addresses participants
He explained that the Swedish Government supports gender focused research, capacity building of women leadership and gender mainstreaming of the five public universities involved. “Women and men should have the same power to shape society and their own lives.”
The Deputy Director, Research and Graduate Training, Dr David Owiny praised Makerere University as a champion of gender equity and dignity noting that this is reflected in most of its policies including those on research and student enrolment.
Highlighting the different programmes within the Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming and the strides made by Makerere University in achieving gender equity, Dr Euzobia Baine underscored the need for every university to establish a unit to coordinate gender equality efforts. She urged the Dr Euzobia Baine was one of the panelists
The former Executive Director of Isis Women's International Cross Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE), Ms Ruth Ojambo-Ochieng emphasized the significance of networking and partnerships in promoting gender equity. “Women all over the world have been able to achieve their rights and some equity through various movements,” she noted. International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since those early years, International Women's Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women's movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women's conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women's rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.
Wole Soyinka Award Winner, Ms. Harriet Anena briefed students about life after University. She implored managers of Universities to expose students to realities of the world as a way of preparing them to favorably compete at all levels. Ms. Elizabeth Kaase-Bwanga shared ideas on the role of Universities in leadership development noting that both male and Dr Kindi delivered the keynote on behalf of Prof. Dranzoa
The Gender Identity Week activities were coordinated by Dr Consolata Kabonesa, Associate Professor at the School of Women and Gender Studies at Makerere University with support from the Dean, Dr Sarah Ssali.
The International theme for this year’s celebrations was; “Balance for Better” whereas the National theme was; “Empowering Women through Innovative Approaches to Social Protection: A prerequisite for inclusive and Sustainable Development”.