Minister Wanyoto Advocates for Enhanced Women's Leadership in Parliament

State Minister for Public Service and Woman MP for Mbale City, Lydia Wanyoto, has issued a strong appeal to women Members of Parliament, urging them to actively pursue greater leadership representation within the institution. Speaking at the induction of women MPs under the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), Wanyoto highlighted the persistent male dominance in key parliamentary leadership positions.

She stressed the importance of harnessing the support of political parties, which serve as the primary vehicles for female legislators to enter Parliament. “Political parties are the vehicles through which we get to Parliament, so they must also invest in building the capacity and unity of women legislators once we are here,” Wanyoto stated, emphasizing that these parties should actively contribute to the strengthening of UWOPA.

Wanyoto argued for a more prominent role for women in decision-making bodies, including the influential Parliamentary Commission. The current male-dominated composition of the Commission, she believes, hinders women’s ability to shape parliamentary administration, budgets, and welfare matters. “If we are not in the room where decisions about Parliament’s administration, budget and welfare are made, then we will continue fighting from the margins,” she explained.

Furthermore, the Minister critiqued political parties, including the ruling NRM, for not adequately fielding women in winnable constituencies and for internal processes that often sideline female aspirants. She called for a renewed commitment to gender equity targets, asserting that progress in women’s representation cannot be achieved if party structures continue to disadvantage women during primaries and nominations.

Wanyoto called for unity within UWOPA, urging it to advocate for the interests of all women MPs, regardless of their political affiliations. “Our strength is in unity, and that unity must translate into real leadership positions for women in committees and on the Parliamentary Commission,” she concluded.

This call comes as new and returning women MPs gather to strategize for the 12th Parliament, with significant opportunities for committee leadership and nominations to the Parliamentary Commission on the horizon.

Read more at: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/352191/minister-wanyoto-calls-for-stronger-womens-leadership-in-parliament