A Ugandan businessman, Grace Kabayo has been elected as new Secretary General for Pan-African Women Organization (PAWO).
The Pan African Women’s congress held its 10th elective congress in Namibia, Windhoek where it ran from February 26-28, 2020, under the theme: ‘Accelerate African Women’s Actions towards Achieving Sustainable Economic Development Within The Context of the AU Agenda 2063.”
The congress that was attended by a number of high profile guests including: Mrs Astou Koité, President of the Pan-African Women Organization (PAWO) and the president of Namibia His Excelelency Hage Geingob.
Although a number of issues and problems pertaining to women equality were discussed, one of the major highlights for all Ugandans was the election of Grace Kabayo as the new Secretary General of PAWO after she was voted unanimously. This is the first time a Ugandan has been elected to such a position despite being up against 55 other contestants from various countries across the continent.
After having spent over seven years in the assembly, the election of Kabayo doesn’t come as a huge surprise to some although most would agree that it was well deserving. “This is a win for Uganda really; the headquarters have been in East Africa for some time now, so it is good that we can finally represent the region at such a level.” Kabayo told to Eagle Online. She went ahead to describe her new role as the engine that drives the organization and therefore, has pledged to use her time as Secretary General to bridge the gap between the governments and the public in order to fight for equal rights and allow more women opportunities to access funding and support across the continent.
The congress further aimed at encouraging more investment into women and girls across Africa in a bid to allow them have an equal opportunity like their male counterparts. Koite asserted that Economic empowerment could only be fully attained if more women occupied offices of power both socially and politically. This was further echoed by the President of Namibia who said: “No woman must be left behind. The laws are now open & favorable for women. While focusing on the girl child, let’s not forget the boy child.”
The new secretary general also showed concern for the total dependency that citizens exhibit towards governments without playing their part in the social and economic development of their communities, she urged Africans to fully engage their social and economic obligations and not blame the government entirely for everything when they can work together to provide a better future for themselves. Grace Kabayo joins a number of formidable women like Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director-UNAIDS and Jennifer Musisi, who continue to make Uganda proud through their achievements at international level.
