KOTIDO, April 17, 2025 – Kotido district marked its belated International Women’s Day with a powerful call for systemic change grounded in empowerment, equality, and innovation. Long-standing pillars of resilience in this conflict-prone region, the women of Kotido united in a vibrant show of strength, determination, and a shared vision for a brighter future.
The celebration, held recently at Lomukura Boma Grounds, followed the national theme, “Accelerating Equality through Innovation and Inclusion”, and served as a strong reminder of the urgent need to address entrenched gender disparities. Hundreds of women, community leaders, youth, and development partners gathered in solidarity to reaffirm their commitment to building a more inclusive society.
In a stirring address, Margaret Aachilla Aleper, Kotido District Woman Member of Parliament, delivered a passionate call for the full inclusion of women in all spheres of life. Known for her advocacy for women’s rights, Aleper declared that the region’s development is impossible without empowering its women.
“We are not here to beg for a seat at the table, we are here to claim it,” she said. “For generations, our mothers have carried this region through drought, conflict, and instability. Today, the women of Kotido are ready to step up and lead. We will no longer be passive participants in our own future.”
She urged women to reject limiting cultural and societal norms, stressing the need for their active participation in leadership across schools, local councils, and the business community.
“We must not only be seen; we must be heard and counted,” she continued. “It is time to occupy the leadership spaces that will shape our children’s futures and the destiny of our communities.”
Emphasising education as a vital tool for empowerment, she appealed to both local and national governments to prioritise girls’ education and ensure women have safe, inclusive spaces in decision-making processes.
Calls for action
Nuria Hufsa Teko, LCV Vice Chairperson Kotido district, echoed Hon. Aleper’s sentiments but added a sharper focus on accountability and action. She called for the translation of policy rhetoric into tangible change.
“Today’s celebration must go beyond symbolism. Women must be actively involved not just in policy discussions but in resource allocation, programme design, and implementation. Women’s issues cannot remain an afterthought, they must be central to all planning,” she said.
Teko spotlighted ongoing challenges, including early child marriage, maternal mortality, and low female literacy rates in the district. She called for increased government funding and targeted programmes to close these gaps.
“We are ready for change, but it must be real. It must be felt by every woman, every girl, and every community member in Kotido,” she said, urging local leaders to champion initiatives that promote women’s financial independence and healthcare access.
Government perspective and peacebuilding
Speaking at the government function, John Lukooki Magezi, Deputy Resident District Commissioner, acknowledged the critical role women play in promoting peace and security in the Karamoja sub-region.
“An empowered woman is not just an agent of change, she is a pillar of peace,” he said. “We see this every day in the strength of the women who have kept communities together through years of conflict.”
He pledged the government’s continued efforts to combat gender-based violence [GBV], improve women’s access to justice, and enhance their roles in peacebuilding. Although strides have been made, issues like domestic violence and land rights persist, and Magezi reiterated his resolve to work closely with local leaders to tackle these injustices.
Cultural expression and grassroots voices
The celebration featured traditional edonga dances, poetry, and dramatic performances, all highlighting issues such as GBV, early marriage, and barriers to girls’ education. Women’s groups, including schoolchildren, used the stage to amplify the daily challenges faced by women and girls in the region, while also celebrating their resilience and contribution to food security and family welfare.
A Call for urgency: The numbers behind the narrative
Despite progress, women’s empowerment in Karamoja remains a work in progress. Data shows women in the region are disproportionately affected by poverty, low education levels, and gender-based violence. In Kotido, female literacy rates remain below 30 percent, and maternal mortality is among the highest in Uganda.
Numerous NGOs are working to address these issues, focusing on maternal health, financial inclusion, and protection from violence. Yet the event made clear that more urgent action is needed to close the gaps and provide women with the tools they need to thrive.
Conclusion: Beyond celebration, towards transformation
As the day drew to a close, one message echoed loud and clear: this was not just a celebration, but a rallying cry for sustained action. The women of Kotido are no longer waiting for recognition, they are demanding their rightful place in shaping their communities and futures.
The event encapsulated the power of women’s voices in Kotido; bold, visionary, and unwilling to be sidelined in the ongoing pursuit of equality, justice, and opportunity.
https://thecooperator.news/womens-coops-around-the-world-and-their-stories/
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