Liberate rural women, Kadaga tells female lawyers

Mr Samuel Kazibwe, FIDA-Uganda‘s longest serving driver, receives a plague from Speaker Rebecca Kadaga during a dinner to mark 40 years of the organisation. Mr Kazibwe, who retired recently, was made an honorary member of FIDA-Uganda. Photo by Stephen Kefeero 

By  Stephen Kafeero

In Summary

The Speaker, who is also a former chairperson of FIDA Uganda, said while some progress has been made by FIDA to ensure justice for women, justice still eludes many.

KAMPALA- The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, has urged female lawyers to make interventions to improve the lives of the rural women.

She was speaking at a dinner to mark 40 years of Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA Uganda).

“We need to liberate the rural woman who still works like a tractor and make her life easier such that she can also be able to attend meetings and make decisions,” said Ms Kadaga.

The Speaker, who is also a former chairperson of FIDA Uganda, said while some progress has been made by FIDA to ensure justice for women, justice still eludes many.

“The cost of lawyers and other costs such as transporting witnesses make it difficult for women to access justice,” she said.

UN Women country representative Hodan Addou called upon Parliament to enact more laws that are supportive to women and promote civic engagement, especially one on marriage and divorce.

At the event, several female judicial officers and lawyers were recognised for promotion of values and principles of FIDA Uganda.

Those recognised
Prominent female judicial officers included Justices Laetitia Kikonyogo, Alice Mpagi Bahigeine (both retired deputy chief justices), Mary Maitum, Ms Irene Ovonji-Odida (current head of FIDA Uganda) and Ms Hope Ruhindi Mwesigye.

FIDA-Uganda was established in 1974 by a group of women lawyers to promote their professional and intellectual growth. In 1988, the organisation established its first legal aid clinic in Kampala to provide legal services to needy women and enable them access justice. It currently has more than 300 members.