UN Women and UWOPA leadership push for enactment of the pending gender sensitive Bills
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Dr. Maxime Houinato, UN Women Country Representative (Middle) with Executive members of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA). Photo: UN Women/ Aidah Nanyonjo
On February 20, 2019, the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) Executive members visited UN Women to discuss on how the two organization can work together and also strategize on how to advocate for the enactment and passing of the pending gender sensitive bills. The Bills include, the Sexual Offences Bill 2015, Succession Amendment Bill 2018, Marriage and Divorce Bill, and Employment Amendment Bill.
UN Women Country Representative, Dr. Maxime Houinato promised UN Women’s support to UWOPA to lobby for pending bills in parliament including redrafting the sexual offences bill so that it is tabled back to the floor of Parliament as soon as possible.
The UWOPA Vice Chairperson Hon. Catherine Lamwaka said that the committee will prioritize the pending bills and push for their enactment.
“As UWOPA Executive, we are expected to push for gender sensitive laws and policies. We are hopeful that if these laws are passed and implemented, we shall be able to achieve the SDG agenda of leaving no one behind,” Hon. Catherine Lamwaka said.
Hon. Lamwaka noted that UWOPA needs support from development partners to enable it continue advocating for the enactment of the said Bills which have direct bearing on the lives of women and girls in Uganda.
“We require support from you (UN Women) and other development partners to ensure that we push for some gender sensitive laws which are priorities to the women of this country,” she added
The visit was partly to officially introduce the new executive members of UWOPA to UN Women. The team shall steer UWOPA for 2 1/2 Years.
It should be remembered that UNWOMEN supported UWOPA during the 9th Parliament under the UN joint program for gender equality, and the MPs were able to advocate for the Gender Equity Certificate provision in the Public Finance and Management Act 2015.