March 8th, our special day!
For those of us who have had an opportunity to be part of this day in the previous years, know how important it is to us as Makerere Uuniversity Business School Women Forum. We thank God for availing this day to us, a day when we gather together as women to reflect on our fundamental role in society as mothers but also adding the other roles and responsibilities assigned to us as the world evolves. This event avails an opportunity to reflect on what it takes to deliver on our mandate as women, what and who we need to support and enable us to accomplish our goals successfully.
The MUBS Women Forum International Women’s Day is a unique event. It is day we always look up to as women at MUBS. It is that day of the year when join the rest of the world to mark and celebrate women achievements, reflect on our contribution but more importantly deliberate on the hinderances to our progress.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme “DigitALL; Innovation and Technology for Gender equality”is quite timely given the evolving global lifestyle and dynamic workspace. As the world shifts to digitizing every aspect of being including learning, socializing , employment, business among others, one can only be relevant in this transition if they are equipped with digital knowledge and skills.
“Bringing women and other marginalized groups into Technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality. Their lack of inclusion, by contrast, comes with massive costs: as per UN Women’s Gender snapshot 2022 report, women’s exclusion in the digital world has shaved $1 trillion from the gross domestic product of low and middle income countries in the last decade- a loss that will grow to $ 1.5 trillion by 2025 without action. ”UN Women IWD 2023 report. The theme therefore gives us an opportunity to highlight the role for inclusiveness, transformative technology and digital education as a critical tool for sustainable development.
I wish to applaud the Government of Uganda for being one of the few countries in Africa involving women in fundamental decision making of the country. The positions of Vice presidency, Leader of Government business, speaker of Parliament among others. And to MUBS management that has presented an enabling environment for all women to exploit their truest potential. We thank you.
I also on behalf of the MUBS Women Forum congratulate all our women of distinction 2022 especially those that attained a doctorate. You made us proud. To all women making an economic contribution and championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education, we celebrate you in a special way as indicator of this year’s theme DigitALL; Innovation and Technology for gender equality.
Congratulation and a happy International Women’s day.
God bless you!
The writer, MAUREEN TWEYONGYERE is the Director Career & Skills Development Centre, Makerere University Business School, Kampala.
