Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has outlined four priorities for advancing women’s leadership and participation in decision-making as he led the country’s delegation to the World Women Parliamentarians’ Forum in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Tayebwa said Uganda was using the international gathering to share its experience in promoting women’s representation in Parliament and government while learning from other countries’ approaches to gender equality.
In a statement, the Deputy Speaker highlighted constitutional provisions, affirmative action and gender-responsive planning and budgeting as key measures that have helped more women secure senior leadership positions in Uganda.
He attributed the progress made over the past 40 years to deliberate interventions implemented under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
“The progress we have registered over the past 40 years under the NRM Government demonstrates the value of deliberate action,” Tayebwa said.
However, he noted that increasing the number of women in leadership positions was only one part of the broader goal of achieving gender equality.
According to Tayebwa, women must also have meaningful influence over legislation, national budgets, development priorities and institutional decisions that directly affect citizens.
He said Uganda was working towards ensuring women’s participation translated into greater influence over public policy and national development.
The Deputy Speaker identified four areas requiring sustained attention to strengthen women’s leadership in political institutions.
The first priority is expanding women’s participation in parliamentary committees and other strategic decision-making structures, where key legislative and policy decisions are shaped.
He also called for greater investment in leadership development, mentorship and capacity-building programmes to prepare women for leadership responsibilities and strengthen their effectiveness in public office.
Tayebwa further emphasised the need to eliminate discrimination, intimidation, violence and harassment targeting women, both online and offline.
He said creating safer and more inclusive political spaces was essential to enabling women to participate fully in public life without facing threats or abuse.
The fourth priority involves engaging men as partners in advancing gender equality, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in addressing barriers to women’s participation and leadership.
The forum, which began in Mongolia on Monday, October 12, provides a platform for women parliamentarians and other parliamentary leaders to exchange experiences, discuss challenges and identify strategies for strengthening women’s roles in governance.
Tayebwa was accompanied by Members of Parliament Anna Adeke, Mercy Kanyesigye, Ethel Naluyima, Laura Kanushu and Linda Agnes Auma as part of Uganda’s delegation.
Uganda’s participation comes as countries continue to explore ways of translating gains in women’s political representation into greater participation in legislative processes, public spending decisions and national development planning.