The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi has accentuated the importance of gender equality as a major tool in the development of families and a stronger society. He was speaking at the launch of a UN-Women sponsored programme dubbed #He4She. The programme is being spearheaded by the Nabagereka Development Foundation and is aimed at banishing domestic violence.
“Men and women are equal partners in development. I call upon women to engage in income generating activities. When women are empowered economically, families and the entire society flourish”
Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi
He stressed that gender equality and women economic prosperity should not be used wrongly by women as an avenue to disrespect their husbands.
Below is the Kabaka’s full speech as prepared and delivered:
I wish to welcome all the stakeholders of the HeForShe Campaign along with the Nnabagereka Development Foundation and United Nations Women in Uganda.
I also wish to thank all those organizations and individuals who have fought the HIV/AIDS disease in our country and all over the world since the 1980s.
Part of the solution to HIV/AIDS prevention is the need to bring men and boys on board the campaign in the fight against the inequality of women and girls.
We hope that this whole gender-inclusive approach will go a long way in addressing our concerns.
Men and women are equal partners in the development of their families and societies and this is why the HeForShe Campaign is so important.
I urge women to work towards economic empowerment so that in your relationships with men, both of you are breadwinners.
This empowerment should increase the pace of gender equality. The education of women in all spheres of human endeavour should greatly enhance gender equality and my appeal to both men and women is that you respect each other and protect each other from HIV/AIDS infection.
In Buganda, through our traditional governance structures we plan to carry out campaigns to prevent HIV/AIDS but above all, all of us must become each other’s keeper.
Through education, we shall use all the means at our disposal – radio, TV, music, drama and dance – to broadcast the HIV/AIDS message.
I would like to thank you for joining me in this very important campaign and for making a firm commitment to the transformation of our society.
It is now my pleasure and privilege to launch the HeForShe Campaign partnership between Buganda Kingdom, the Nnabagereka Development Foundation and United Nations Women.
Thank you very much.
Ssaabasajja Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II
Kabaka of The Kingdom of Buganda
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN UGANDA
“68 percent of ever-married
women aged 15 to 49 years had experienced some form of violence inflicted by their spouse or intimate partner.”Uganda Bureau of Statistics
“77 percent of women aged 15 to 49 years feel that spousal violence is justified for a variety of reasons, such as if the woman burns food or refuses sexual relations”
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
HM Ssaabasajja Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi launching the #HeforShe campaign aimed at banishing domestic violence in Buganda and Uganda.
ABOUT THE #HEFORSHE CAMPAIGN
HeForShe (often referred to as He for She) is a solidarity campaign for the advancement of gender equality, initiated by UN. Its goal is to achieve equality by encouraging all genders to partake as agents of change and take action against negative stereotypes and behaviours.
Learn more: http://www.heforshe.org/en
