The State Minister for Fisheries also Serere District Woman MP Hellen Adoa has asked parents to stop the practice of marrying off young girls but rather focus on putting them to school.
She made the remarks while officiating the belated Soroti district women’s day celebrations that was held in Katine Sub County.
She appealed to the parents to keep girls at school until they complete school noting that the Ugandan government through UPE and USE is promoting access to free education.
“I encourage you to keep the girls in School until they complete both UPE and USE. Let the girls and boys get equal opportunity early marriage is wrong,” she said.
She also called for equal treatment of both men and women in order for society to develop. Adoa revealed that women are role models to the children and should always ensure they inspire them by doing good deeds.
She added that the government is interested in ensuring women in Uganda are empowered through its various programs but was quick to warn women against misusing the opportunity.
She asked the women to embrace the Parish Development Model (PDM) program which is a new government initiative to get Ugandans out of poverty.
The Minister also used the same event to launch the mustard seed project that provides reusable sanitary pads to girls in order to enable girls to stay at school
Ann Adeke Ebaju the Soroti District Woman MP commended the women of Soroti for being hardworking while calling for more funding
She encouraged women to learn to support and build each other as the best way of transformation.
“When you develop a woman, you develop the whole community. That is why it is important to have women empowered,” Adeke said.
Joan Alobo Acom MP Soroti City said that although government funding through Operation Wealth Creation, Youth Livelihood Program and Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program has elevated the status of women, there is need to increase the money.