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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 27143, member: 2262"] Female leaders across Uganda want the government to set aside 30 percent of all public contracts just for businesses run by women. They made this demand at the Second Women's Parliament held Monday, March 3, at the Uganda Parliament building. These leaders believe government purchases should include female entrepreneurs as a direct way to boost their earnings. Recent statistics from 2022 show women provide the main income for 55 percent of households throughout the country. The women pointed to ongoing obstacles blocking their economic progress despite protections in articles 32 and 33 of the Ugandan Constitution. Jennifer Kengaju from Bunyangabu District Women's Council explained that female participation has improved to 39 percent, but many barriers remain. These include unfair cultural practices, limited access to resources like land and credit, plus fewer formal job opportunities compared to men. Their request came during discussions about strengthening policies for financial independence. Over 500 participants attended the event, where Hajjati Faridah Kibowa chaired proceedings after winning through public voting. Many observed that current government programs designed to help women often have requirements impossible for rural women to meet. Keller Angiru from Amolatar District highlighted how rural communities face greater challenges than urban areas. She mentioned that the GROW project requires land titles, which most rural women simply cannot provide. Harriet Ntambi from Mityana District described how men control profits from valuable crops such as coffee even when women contribute significant labor. She mentioned cases where husbands killed wives over coffee money and asked for government action to ensure married women share both crop proceeds and land rights with their husbands. Gender Minister Peace Mutuuzo emphasized the need for people to be educated about recent law changes allowing women to inherit and acquire land. She supported earmarking district procurement contracts for female business owners since women already manage 44 percent of business enterprises nationwide. Mutuuzo questioned why only small amounts might be reserved when women have proven capable of handling larger funds. She advocated changing policies to support both women and people with disabilities. The gathering produced 29 different resolutions covering climate change, economic strength, education involvement, and political participation. Parliament Speaker Anita Among promised these ideas would be debated properly. She also committed to personally present these resolutions directly to President Yoweri Museveni for consideration and possible implementation across Uganda. [/QUOTE]

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