By Daniel Mumbya (Trainee): Expectant mothers in Uganda are still dying because of distant health facilities according to Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama.
Nakadama, however, said the number of mothers dying because of pregnancy and childbirth issues is few compared to the past years. She indicated that the few cases of mothers dying of pregnancy and childbirth complications have reduced because the government has built health facilities in many parts of the country.
Nevertheless, she noted that there are still places where mothers are still trekking miles to access antenatal services. She said the government she serves has plans to continue extending health services closer to the population.
Nakadama who was speaking in the Iganga district on the Women’s Day celebration emphasized that women must engage in all economic activities like lumbering, plumbing, and engineering just like their male counterparts.
“This will help to improve the future girl child in all sectors. We shall have equal opportunities in science and technology. Parents you should ensure the safety of your children both at home and in the community,” Nakadama said.
Nakadama said there are immoral activities children are being introduced to and thus tasked the parents to ensure a proper foundation for the children is laid so that Uganda can have a better future and better citizens. “You should know that children especially the girl child are being culturally groomed to be the weaker sex. We need to empower children equally in all aspects of life,” Nakadama said.
She encouraged women to participate in modern agriculture where a number of technologies are applied like the use of machines, the application of fertilizers, and growing crops that take a short period to be harvested like vegetables, and fish farming. Focusing on crops that grow faster, Nakadama said it would help to reduce poverty in the families and reduce family breakdown which is caused by lack of food and money.
At the same function, the state minister for agriculture and fisheries Fred Bwino Kyakulaga rallied parents and other child rights advocates not to forget the boy children. Kyakulaga said male children also need skills and empowerment because they are the ones going to marry skilled girls.