For many young women facing poverty in rural areas in Uganda, dropping out of school marks the end of opportunity. But for Judith Aceng, who hails from Kasese District, it became a springboard for a new life, trading textbook uncertainty for the tangible promise of a hammer and cement mixer.
Aceng’s inspiring journey, shared at the ‘Ignite Her Dream’ vision forum and fundraising gathering organized by Aitenga Women Empowerment Organization (AWEO), stands as one of testaments to the transformative potential of targeted skills development in non-traditional fields.
Judith’s education journey became clouded in primary four due to financial challenges. However, in 2023, she enrolled in a construction skilling programme under a UN Women-supported initiative. Undeterred by the male-dominated nature of the industry; a fact that, she said, motivated her further, she mastered the trade.
Today, the construction graduate says she earns an average of about Shs15, 000 daily. This income has given her the means to support her mother and establish a newfound sense of confidence and pride.
“Her success is a reminder that when young women are given tools and the opportunity to thrive, they can break down the barriers that limit them,” noted Ms Natasha Butorac, Programme Specialist at UN Women Uganda.
The forum, held at Makerere University on Friday afternoon, served as a stark reminder of the uphill battle still faced by women.
UN Women statistics cited at the event revealed that only 34 percent of young women in Uganda have basic literacy and numeracy skills, and a mere one in three girls complete secondary education.
Furthermore, systemic inequality persists, women earn approximately 40 percent less than men for similar work and shoulder a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, limiting their access to education and employment. Only 27 percent of women use formal financial services compared to 39 percent of men.
“These sobering statistics demonstrate the critical importance of focusing on women’s economic empowerment and access to alternative pathways to education,” Ms. Butorac stressed, urging stakeholders to increase commitment to gender equality.
Aitenga Women Empowerment Organization, established in 2023 by Ms Ling Chang, reinforced its commitment to equipping young women with skills for self-sufficiency, particularly among teenage girls.
“We need people who can think independently for their survival in the community,” Ms. Chang stated, highlighting the organization’s focus on basic business management and development alongside skills training in programs like tailoring and their Starting Points Entrepreneur Initiative.
UN Women lauded this organisation’s leadership and underlined the value of promoting value-added skilling in non-traditional fields like mechanics, welding, and construction. These fields often offer greater income-generating potential in less saturated markets and help dismantle gendered stereotypes.
The UN Women representative further urged partners to “value, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work,” calling for investment in care systems like affordable childcare to truly achieve gender-transformative empowerment.
Mr Benard Makuba Mujuni, Commissioner of Equity and Rights in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Development, acknowledged the critical role of civil society in complementing government efforts.
He specifically pointed to the potential of the “creative economy, like bitenge designers,” and the need for “embracing technologies in renovation” for modern skill acquisition.
The forum concluded by recognising the crucial role of the private sector, with Mr. Sunil Lakhani, General Manager of Smartec Electronics, present as a key partner demonstrating corporate support for the empowerment agenda.
Smartec Electronics donated Shs.2.4million to Aitenga Women Empowerment Organization to continue spreading the gospel of women empowerment in the country.
Despite the celebratory tone, a poignant moment came with a collective appeal from the NGO community for better operational support.
“Save us (the NGOs); access to government personalities and support from the government is still limited,” was reiterated, highlighting administrative hurdles faced by organisations working on the ground.
Ms. Butorac concluded the event with a strong economic message: “Investing in women is not charity-it is a human right and a smart economic decision… When women thrive, communities thrive.”