What Women’s Day means to them

Sarah Tumwebaze (The Monitor)-- Monday 8 March, the world celebrates International Women’s Day to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. To some people, it is a day men are supposed to do all the domestic chores that women have been doing. However, to other women, this day signifies something else and they told Sarah Tumwebaze what they think of the day and how they would like to celebrate it.

Solome Kimbugwe, Women activitist

This day signifies the total liberation of women from all forms of segregation. It’s a day when the world realised that women are human beings. It also signifies the struggles that women have fought and finally attained like the right to vote, the domestic violence bill and the right to choose who to marry. However, it also acts as a reminder that we are not yet there, so we have to join hands and see that we continuously secure the space we have at the moment and also attain more. I would like to celebrate this day beyond the normal speeches and the good food that people eat and empower women to be in charge of their lives and ensure that they are recognised for who they are.

Ssempala Nabila Kampala, Women MP

It is a celebration of womanhood, a day that affirms our contribution towards all aspects life. It also signifies the importance of motherhood, leadership and being a career woman. I also feel that it is a day that reminds me of where we have come from as women, how far we have gone and the journey we are left with and I would like to celebrate it with all the other women who have managed to make this country a better place.

Eunice Owing, Counsellor

It is a day that shows that women are more human. It helps to recognise women in light of their contribution towards humanity and I would like to celebrate it in a way that rights of people as human beings are promoted because all humanity whether man or woman needs their rights to be respected since all suffer equally.

Faridah Masanso, TV presenter

This day signifies a lot to me because women are the majority in Uganda and the world. They are the backbone of human kind and the nation - even the successful men in the world are being supported by women. To me, this day is when we celebrate the unsung heroes of every nation who contribute towards development in terms of human resource and I think we need more celebrations in this line because women endure a lot like juggling work, raising children and also take care of their husbands. On such a day, I would love to get my mother, take her out to a beauty spa or any special place that a mother would like because she greatly influenced my life and to me, all women are heroes.

Grace Nakimera, Local Artiste

Women’s Day shows the kind of strength and independence that woman have managed to attain and I think it has somehow managed to erase the low self-esteem attitude that women had -being subordinates to the men because right now, we see very many women out there trying to find a means of survival and I think they should continue with this spirit. Personally, I will not celebrate this day but I will be out working which every woman should do so that we can be independent and not sit at home waiting for the man to bring everything on the table.

Beatrice Anywa, Woman MP Kitgum District

Women’s Day makes us focus on what we have been doing and how far we have gone in terms of attaining women rights but honestly, there is nothing to celebrate because the women have not achieved anything. They might rejoice over the few things they have attained like the 1.5 girls entry points at University and the increasing number of women members of Parliament. But this is enjoyed by a few people whereas the biggest percentage of women is suffering. So I am not celebrating anything on this day and I am going to Kitgum to encourage the women to fight for their rights.

Namirembe Bitamazire, Minister of Education and Sports

I participated in the creation of women’s day in Uganda and it is an important day that signifies the cause of the woman and how far we have gone to achieve our rights. I would like everyone both men and women to celebrate it in ways that will help emancipate women in this country.

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