Women in Africa must unite and be each other’s keepers because they are unique and know what affects them most as women.
According to Hon. Shamim Malende, MP-Kampala District, women need to use their privileges to help other women who don’t have those privileges, for, with that, women will reach places no one ever thought they would.
“My call to women is for them to stand in solidarity and show the world that they can break the barriers they are facing in a just, legal and most deserving way,” she states
The Member of Parliament draws inspiration from people who do great things and, most importantly, people who use the law to fight for justice for all people in Uganda and across Africa. She also finds her inspiration from the rich, who honour the poor by reaching out to help them.
Being a leader, she is inspired by leaders who honour their electorates and stick to their word and promises to the people. As a woman, she also finds pride in people who put the agenda of women and girls at the forefront to see that justice prevails in society and Africa.
Amongst many principles that guide her to do that which she aspires to do is her belief in God. She knows and acknowledges that above man, there is God and that having faith in God makes everything possible and achievable. As she puts it, that comes with also believing in yourself – that you can achieve your set targets.
“Values and discipline determine how you walk your walk,” she says. Everyone with leadership roles must have values that guide them – values such as credibility, reliability and focus, among many others.
Through self-evaluation, she has been able to look at her goals and analyzed where she has reached in achieving them, seen where she has gone wrong and made improvements where necessary. She is still learning and adding more to her list.
As a lawyer and member of parliament, her typical day entails serving the legal firm and affairs involved, being a parliamentarian in the house, going down to the people to gather their views and concerns, reaching out to the less privileged as well as creating time for her family and friends.
Her daily routine involves waking up early and retiring to bed early. Despite her busy schedule, she makes sure to allocate time in the course of her days to read because she believes in being empowered and informed to be helpful in society.
“Everybody must be informed to be able to speak from the point of knowledge,” she states.
Of course, being a Muslim and a believer, her day can’t end without her doing her daily devotions. “Keeping fit is very crucial for me. Therefore, my life is not complete without exercise that ensures my well-being is well catered for,” she adds
What is her view of the present-day Ugandan woman?
“From where I sit as a woman and a leader, I know the present-day Ugandan woman is progressive. You will find her in the kitchen and, at the same time, at her office desk. The present-day Ugandan woman engages in both formal and non-formal work. She does everything, including multitasking, to bring something to the table for her family. The present-day Ugandan woman won’t view the man as the sole breadwinner. She works and plays a major role in fending for her family,” Hon Malende says.
She continues to say that women are not exonerated from facing common challenges, even with all the liberation—challenges such as poverty and issues affecting women such as teenage pregnancies.
According to her, women in power also face challenges. They feel left out where crucial decisions in parliament or in board meetings are involved. In her view, some laws need to be amended and scrapped off to uplift women in society.
“We have fought many battles in court, some which we have won and some which have failed. I must, however, applaud the court for showing support where women’s rights need to be observed and respected. The fight is still on, but at the end of the day, we want to see more women at the forefront, more women winning and achieving total freedom and full respect for their rights just like her other counterparts,” Malende notes
As she posits, in the event, leaders from across organizations and sectors come together to push the women’s agenda; they are likely to see more women at the forefront.
Suppose women also recognize and take their God-given place in the society; in Malende’s view, more presidents will be produced, more female speakers and more female leaders in organizations across the continent.
“That way, they will be in a better place to push for equality even more. Women should not be seen as sexual objects. In present Africa, one should focus on using their brain other than their body. We have a problem where people think they must use their bodies to get opportunities. That perception needs to change. Keep your virtues, your integrity and focus on being useful to the male and the female child,” she cautions
Her plea to the masses is for them to focus on what they want to achieve and what they want to be and figure out how they want to impact society. They should strive to make targets early in life, and those who have the opportunity to get an education should take it seriously, for it is not easily accessible to all.
