As you head to work today, pause for a moment and ask yourself: Are the women in my life also going to work, or do you still believe they should remain home? And if you are a boss, are you being fair to the women at your workplace? Do you treat them the same as men, giving them equal rights, opportunities, and privileges? If not, then you have failed as a leader. These are not only cultural issues; they are also societal beliefs and egocentric behaviours that continue to undermine women’s potential in workplaces, businesses, and leadership spaces.
Deep-rooted cultural beliefs also hold women back. For generations, communities have been told that “A woman’s place is in the kitchen,” or “A woman who owns land challenges her husband.” Others believe that “If a woman earns more than a man, the family will fall apart.” Such narratives have not only robbed women of opportunity, but have also robbed entire communities of growth and prosperity.
It is time to break both the societal biases that deny women equal treatment and the cultural beliefs that chain them to the home. Women, just like men, deserve the same economic rights and opportunities. Providing economic security to women is not charity, it is justice, and it is an investment in stronger families, thriving communities, and a more equal society.
Action For Development (ACFODE) continues to champion this cause by employing gender-transformative approaches that shift mindsets and open doors for women. Through knowledge cafés on women’s land rights and gender analysis in cooperative groups like BGCUL in Jinja District, ACFODE strengthened women’s participation in economic spaces. These partnerships led to the formation of five Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) and 24 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) with over 2,000 members actively participating. This means more women are now saving, investing, and planning for a future of dignity and independence.
Beyond this, ACFODE also integrated financial inclusion into other programmes, ensuring that women are not left behind in resource mobilization. In Kasese District, for example, women engaged in social enterprises received training in financial literacy and were equipped with vital knowledge on accessing government funds at the district level. Their capacities were further built to engage in value addition, ensuring that their enterprises do not just survive, but grow into sustainable livelihoods.
The results are clear: when women are supported, they flourish. When they flourish, families thrive. And when families thrive, entire communities move forward. So today, as you consider your privilege and security, ask yourself again: What am I doing to ensure the women in my family, workplace, or community are economically secure?
You can start small by challenging egocentric attitudes in the workplace, dismantling harmful cultural stereotypes, encouraging women to own property, supporting them in pursuing jobs or businesses, and ensuring that opportunities are equally shared. Remember: empowering women economically is not just a women’s issue; it is everyone’s responsibility.
Let us be the generation that breaks barriers, ends harmful cultural and societal beliefs, and secures equal rights for all. Because when women rise, society rises with them.
Written By: Ainembabazi Janet
Communications Officer
ACFODE