Interview. Every year, March is designated as Women’s History Month, dedicated to honoring women’s contributions to society. Daily Monitor’s Joan Salmon spoke to Hajjat Nuruh Nakayiza, a procurement officer at Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

This year’s Women’s Day theme is Investing in Women: Accelerate Progress. How important is it to invest in women?

Women are agents of change at home, at work, and in our communities. Women are more than caretakers, we carry families and businesses.

Investing in women, for example, through providing quality maternal health care, providing good quality education, employing women, and supporting them to take top leadership positions in government will yield multiple benefits not only for themselves but for their families, communities, and the country at large. 

For example, when you provide women with access to quality health care during and after pregnancy, the result will be healthier populations, more lives saved, and economic growth. Women who are healthy, educated, and in charge of their lives contribute to the health and wealth of their families, communities, and their nations.

What factors do you think can accelerate women’s economic development?

Access to quality education for girls and women. Quality education can equip women with knowledge, skills, and confidence to set up businesses and pursue higher paying jobs.

   Government initiatives such as microfinance programmes, supporting women-owned businesses, and women’s financial literacy training can increase women’s access to financial resources such as loans, savings, and opportunities to enable them to invest in their businesses, education, and families.

Encouraging and supporting women to take up leadership positions in government and businesses. Increasing the number of women in leadership positions can lead to a number of policies that benefit women and girls.

Why do you think the gender pay gap persists despite the government and other stakeholders pushing for equality?

The gender pay gap persists because society, families, and marriages still look at women differently, which results in discrimination against women at the workplace, especially during recruitment, promotions, and salary negotiations.

Women are paid lower wages compared to men because of the stereotypes and assumptions about women’s commitment to work after having children.

It is sad that even though women work longer hours than men, for example, those in the household and agricultural sector, are still paid less because of such assumptions.

How should women be empowered to be able to fight poverty?

Women should be empowered to be able to fight poverty by promoting gender equality at places of work and home. 

The government should enforce laws that protect women’s rights and fight domestic violence. Women should be paid the same rate as men for the same work and should not be denied leadership.

positions because of the stereotypes and assumptions that exist around women. 

By promoting gender equality, women will be able to participate fully in all spheres of life without feeling discriminated against.

You will find many women holding top positions in government, there will be equal pay, the proportion of seats held by women in Parliament will increase, and the ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary, and tertiary will increase, and this will help fight poverty.

Hajat Nuruh Nakayiza, a procurement officer at CAA. PHOTO/ COURTESY