“We cannot achieve sustainable development without women’s health … For this reason, we call upon governments and civil society organisations to utilize especially technology to increase women and girls’ access to affordable, safe, and reliable healthcare,”.
– Her Royal Highness Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda –
It is no secret that women make significant contributions every day, from bringing an income to their household as employed wage earners, creating jobs as an entrepreneur, to taking care of their family and elders. This goes on to prove that an investment in women especially their health allows them to unleash their potential for their own fulfillment and socio-economic development of their families and nations.
This year, Buganda Kingdom hosted the 7th Annual Tabamiluka w’Abakyala ( Women’s Convention) on May 13 2022, under the theme; Women’s Health: A boost to innovation and sustainable development.
The event was attended by many officials from both the Buganda and central government and over 1500 women from the 18 counties of Buganda.
Her Royal Highness the Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda (centre) flanked by Ugandan Premier Robinah Nabbanja and the Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom Owek Prof Twaha Kawaase at the function.
The one day conference event espoused of various professionals whose work directly impacts women’s health and these offered a number of free services ranging from gift hampers, financial literacy to free medical check-ups and health tips.
The highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental right of every person. And yet for many women and girls, gender discrimination systematically undermines their access to health care for reasons that range from fewer financial resources and constraints on mobility to the inability to make empowered choices.
In her speech, Her Royal Highness, Sylvia Nagginda, the Queen of the Kingdom of Buganda emphasised that, “We cannot achieve sustainable development without women’s health.”
A cross section of some of the women who gathered to attend the function
Indeed as a country, even though Uganda is making some progress regarding Universal Health Care, many gaps still slow the progress.
To this, Her Royal Highness advised that health systems become fully responsive to women and girls, offering higher quality, more comprehensive, and readily accessible services with societies working to end practices that critically endanger women’s health and well-being—among them, all forms of gender-based violence.
Improving women’s health will contribute to women’s economic empowerment, which has an overall ripple effect on other parts of their lives.
“For this reason, we call upon governments and civil society organisations to utilize especially technology to increase women and girls’ access to affordable, safe, and reliable healthcare,” says the Nnabagereka.
Dr. Diana Kanzira Atwine, Permanent Secretary of the Uganda Ministry of Health, addressing participants at the Tabamiruka.
Her Royal Highness also advised women to take particular interest in their health through eating healthy, exercising, and doing regular medical check-ups.
“Many people believe that you have to spend lots of money to eat healthily; however, that doesn’t have to be the case. Eating healthy could be as simple as supplementing your food with an ample amount of greens or picking fruit from your garden or compound,” she said.
The Nnabagereka also commended women for their efforts in innovation and sustaining the family. She encouraged them not to despair and utilize the groups and SACCOs in their communities to learn and improve themselves.
The event was then closed by His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II who to the women’s joy gifted them the Mengo palace as a venue for all the coming Buganda Women’s Conference.