"Empowering women benefits everyone, creating stronger families, communities, and workplaces," declared Paulin Djomo, Director of the Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE), during the International Women’s Day celebrations on March 7th.

The RSCE celebrated for three days under the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” organized activities to boost women's and girls' participation in the workplace and society by focusing on their wellbeing, reproductive health and empowerment.

Day One kicked off with a virtual discussion on reproductive health led by Dr. Pilli Patric from Bethany Women and Family Hospital, followed by a discussion by Dr. Margaret Zungu's on mental health to enable women to thrive in the workplace.

Day Two featured Dr. Paul Kasenene and his team who discussed good nutrition, held personalized consultations including wellness checks, and gave an exciting live food demonstration.

To cap off the week, staff attended a town hall with guests of honour including daughters and female relatives aged 13 and above. Attendees were led into the main hall with a rousing parade led by a brass band where staff held up signs advocating for the rights and empowerment of women. At the townhall a panel of distinguished female legal, business, human rights and gender equity advocates including Ms. Daphine A. Ntananga, Ms. Susan Achen, Ms. Abidha din, Ms. Faidah Rose Byaruhanga, and Connie Kekihembo shared their journeys and offered inspiring insights for attendees. Ms. Fancy Sheila Aromorach, founder and leader of the SheLaws Foundation gave a passionate speech representing the voice of the female youth.

Closing the ceremonies, Deputy Director Ms. Nalini Contreras thanked the Women’s Committee and other key coordinators for their efforts in ensuring an engaging week of activities.  “A resilient and knowledgeable woman can participate in society and advocate for herself and others,” she said.

She added, “In today's world, where it feels like we are moving backward on women’s rights, and donors are threatening to dismantle gender programs, I want to give you a simple message: It costs nothing to advocate for women. It costs nothing to believe in gender parity.”

Ms. Contreras noted that the participation of the daughters of staff in the ceremonies was by design so that they could view their parents as role models knowing that they could count on their advocacy and support.

The townhall also highlighted RSCE's notable gains in achieving gender parity, boasting 54% female staff and 67% representation at the senior management level.