Women should be empowered in workplaces – Sarah Awor

LIRA, UGANDA: Hon Sarah Awor Angweri, the female councillor representing workers in Lira city council has encouraged the government/directors/CEO of various workplaces to consider the welfare of women working in their institutions/workplaces.

Hon Awor while addressing the media on Monday, April 17, 2023, in Lira City said that “women are better managers when it comes to leadership in most positions.”

The Hon emphasised gender equality during employment and she has advised the government of Uganda and development partners to empower women financially alongside the Parish Development Model, Emyoga, and UEWP among others so that they are not embarrassed in life due to the low level of income being experienced at the moment.

“As a female workers representative in the Lira City council, I see that many women are lagging behind and are faced with several problems ranging from the domestic level to other levels of life.

Therefore, the government of Uganda should see the well-being of workers including both private workers and government employees as something really necessary.

Awor added that people in civil service need rehabilitation through refresher courses, awarding of Contract agreement letters, and workplace ID among others.

She said it should be noted that there are several challenges today both at local and national levels where some sections of private institutions mistreat their employees, an issue the government should take seriously with the workers at the grassroots level.

According to Awor, some civil servants act in one position for over ten to fourteen years without confirmation in several districts, especially in primary schools.

Indeed, this confirmation for teachers, nurses etc, must be improved so that all the workers who hold government offices develop both at workplaces and eventually from their private businesses.

Another challenge is the problem of migrant workers, workers’ Members of parliament should take note that several people are suffering abroad, and this must be discussed in parliament plenary and committee level and resolved once and for all so that our children getting jobs outside Uganda should not suffer abroad.

‘There is a stereotype and infertility complex, low payment and segregation resulting in untold suffering to our people who go outside illegally without the knowledge of leaders at grassroots level’ Added Ms Awor.

Meanwhile, at the district level and at the Sub-county level, it is an advice to the development partners/NGOs or CBOs especially some of their grassroots managers who sometimes mistreat a few sections of workers in terms of little payment to some staff and unbalanced promotions.

“To the best of my knowledge, women are the best managers when it comes to administration in NGOs offices in terms of lobbying, and advocacy among others because they are outspoken, hence, they must be empowered administratively for equal opportunity,” she said

“By the way, we need a collective effort to empower women and all employees, our people must be empowered politically, socially and economically.”

Therefore, our people should embrace the issue of workers in all sectors of life including women at the market engaged in small business entrepreneurship among others.

There should be no segregation of workers at all levels and sectors. We need not exploit the workers ranging from manual labour work to office duties whatsoever including sexual harassment which should be legally dealt with there and then once reported or discovered.