The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Anita Among, has called on leaders in the Busoga sub-region to protect the rights of children, especially the girl child.
Among made the call while speaking at a fundraising drive for the construction of a girls’ hostel at Bukuwa Primary School in Bunya South, in Mayuge District. The event was organised by Bunya South MP, Hon. Iddi Isabirye.
She led a team of other members of Parliament from Busoga, Teso, Buganda and other regions.
The Speaker stated that society should create a legacy where girls and boys have access and are exposed to similar opportunities.
She explained people continue to violate the constitution that has sworn to protect the rights of the girl child without any due regard.
“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,” Among said
She further hailed President Museveni for introducing universal education for all that gives the girl child assured access to school.
“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 Shs40 million towards the construction of the hostel.
Hon. Isabirye revealed that cases of sexual abuse, 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 the abuse.