By Hannah Marion Namukasa
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has asked leaders in the Busoga sub-region to stand up to abuse of child rights, especially girls.
Speaking at a fundraising drive for the construction of a girls’ hostel at Bukuwa Primary School in Bunya South constituency in Mayuge District, which was organised by area MP Iddi Isabirye, Ms Among said that whereas such fundamental rights are protected by the Constitution, a number of people continue to violate without any due regard.
Therefore, she noted, no girl should be abused in anyway, adding that there is need to build an equitable society where girls and boys are exposed to similar opportunities.
“Every girl, just like boys, deserves an equal chance to survive and thrive. No society should bar women and girls from receiving equal opportunities just like their male counterparts,” Ms Among, who was accompanied my MPs from Busoga, Teso, Buganda and other regions, said.
The Speaker also urged MPs to stand tall and ensure that gender based inequalities are dealt with, before commending President Museveni for championing the promotion of education through different initiatives such as Universal Primary and Secondary Education.
“Government, through the Ministry of Education, is doing a lot to ensure our children have access to free and quality education. We are here to support this effort. I call upon all of you to help rehabilitate our education system,” she added, before contributing cash of Shs40m towards the cause.
MP Isabirye revealed that cases of sexual abuses, teenage pregnancies and early marriages, among others, have been on the rise in Mayuge District where parents rent small rooms in trading centres, which expose young girls to abuse.
