There is limited representation of women in local government positions from the district, sector, cell and village, according to statistics. According to a report by the Gender Monitoring Office, at district level, only 26.7 per cent of women hold mayor positions while only 16.7 per cent are in economic planning positions. At sector level, only 11 per cent of women are executive secretaries, while 42.7 per cent are at council level. On cell level 35 per cent of women are executive secretaries while 34.5 per cent are in the council. The report, which was presented on Thursday by Haguruka, a local Women organisation that supports women rights, cited the patriarchal mindset as one of the factors leading to the under-representation of women in local government entities. Culture-traditional stereotypes, non-discussable religious beliefs, financial constraints, negative language and rituals in the family and community, unbalanced power in decisions on the use of resources, were also among the main reasons for fewer women in local government positions. Ninette Umurerwa, Executive Secretary of Huguka, said that although women hold high positions in government, there are still many challenges at the local levels that need to be addressed so there can be a bigger number in the upcoming local elections. “The main challenges as highlighted by many of our respondents was how women do not know how to balance their housework and other works, lack of role models in those positions and lack of financial from either their spouses or their communities,” she said Umurerwa added that more sensitisation is needed right from the community levels right where the women are under-represented and provide guidance and support to them. Jeannette Bayisenge, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF), said that through collective efforts with partners these challenges will be addressed. “Currently we conduct dialogues in communities during women councils meetings and we make sure that there is a person from the National Electoral Commission to teach and sensitise more women to participate in elections.” Bayisenge added that these dialogues will yield good results in the local government elections. The report recommends other private and public institutions to integrate and engage more women in dialogues and support them at their community levels in order to build more role models in leadership to young girls. It also recommended financial institutions like the central bank and Saccos to step in and help women to become financially independent.
