Organizations are being urged to hire gender officers to ensure adherence to gender-related policies and promote inclusivity in workplaces.
This call comes amid growing concerns about the lack of gender policies in many institutions, which experts say undermines efforts to achieve gender equality.
While speaking to the media, Cotilda Babireke, the Gender Officer at the Uganda Media Women Association (UMWA), emphasized the importance of having dedicated professionals to handle gender issues within organizations.
“I find that organizations don’t have gender policies. It means they just work on issues as they come. It will also automatically mean that such an organization cannot have a gender officer who is responsible for addressing gender issues. The human resource manager has expertise in human resources, but a gender officer specifically has gender expertise,” Babireke noted.
Gender advocates believe that without structured policies, organizations may struggle to address issues such as workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and gender pay gaps.
Conny Osoru, a project coordinator at UMWA, highlighted the necessity of financial planning that accommodates diverse workplace needs.
To bridge this gap, activists are calling for gender-responsive budgeting that caters to the unique needs of employees, particularly women and other vulnerable groups.
“We usually invite women working with women-focused organizations, women counselors, and women in media outlets. The attendees of the organization vary significantly in terms of their needs. There are attendees who come with babies, indicating a need for family-friendly accommodations. Furthermore, there are individuals who are blind and require the assistance of a guide. This diversity in attendees necessitates careful consideration of various support needs, including budgeting for additional help and ensuring accessibility,” Osoru explained.
Advocates argue that organizations must take proactive steps to integrate gender-sensitive policies into their operations. This includes recruiting gender officers who can spearhead efforts to create safe, inclusive, and accommodating work environments.
With increased calls for inclusivity and equal representation, organizations that fail to adopt gender-responsive policies risk lagging in efforts to achieve equitable workplaces.
The Uganda Media Women Association and other advocacy groups continue to push for reforms that ensure organizations are equipped to address gender-related challenges effectively.