Fort Portal, (UG):- The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon Betty Amongi has revealed that culture and religion play a pivotal role in the country’s political, social and economic development and the government will continue to support their leaders in the country.
Hon Amongi revealed this during a consultative meeting with Tooro and Bunyoro Kingdom on Tuesday, 12th November at Nyaika Hotel in Fort Portal City where she emphasized that Cultural and Religious Leaders (CRLs) raise awareness, mobilize support, influence finances and resources, and promote access and utilization of government programs, initiatives and interventions.
According to Amongi, the government has approved and continues to extend and give support to all the gazetted Traditional and Cultural Institutions in this financial year 2024/2025, and to support them to preserve our values, norms and practices for posterity.
“This support will strengthen the capacity of the Institutions to mobilize their communities to engage in programs towards their socio-economic transformation,” she added.
The minister also added that the Government is committed and continues to engage religious and cultural leaders through their institutions and structures to influence and advocate for gender-social norm change that affects women’s access to financial and developmental services.
She said cultural leaders also play a significant role in shaping social norms, attitudes, and beliefs within their communities.
“They promote favourable social norms and deconstruct gender stereotypes. Cultural and religious leaders have taken a role in ending violence against women and girls in communities by supporting women’s rights, and access to education,” she added.
“They address gender-based violence and discrimination by engaging men to break social barriers to create equitable environments for women and girls,” Amongi noted.
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