Who is responsible for empowering women, if I may ask?

Vincent Ssegawa, and the women who came to his rescue

Recently I attended a conference organised by the Uganda Media Women Association (UMWA) on gender sensitive media coverage.

One topic of concern was about the number of women who came out after Vincent Ssegawa, a celebrated Kadongo Kamu artiste, announced through a local TV match making program that he needed a woman for a wife.

Many women called for his rescue, I should say. However, the Sisiiri singer made it seem like an audition. He said he was to gradually choose his bride from the rest with in a period of time. Those who watched the bachelor on NTV know what I mean.

Many gender activists are not happy. They feel those women who went to Ssegawa and also posed for a group photo with their “dream man” were undermined. They also feel there was an act of superiority and inferiority in the situation. Some men felt the women acted out of desperateness.

I need to ask a question: Who is in charge of empowering women? Who is responsible of reminding them about self-worth?

I think no one. I repeat, no one will ever come out and say you are capable when you don’t present your abilities. No one will see you as a sex object when you present yourself otherwise.

It is tempting to assume that men abandoned their duties and maybe that is why the biggest percentage of the women who went to Ssegawa were once married and had children.

I don’t think it is right to blame men in such a situation since we are always taught, and reminded, that what men can do, women can do, even better.

Many families today are headed and sponsored by women. I recently watched a documentary about Sharon Mbabazi, a university student who supports her family through brick making. Sharon and many other young women are a great influence in their families and communities.

As I write this, Ssegawa already chose his bride. Now, what next for the rest? I know no one forced you to go for husband auditioning. In fact you were brave in one way or another.

Those accusing men of belittling women should stop because both men and women appear on those match making programmes.

To any concerned lady out there, know your worth. Present yourself in a way that won’t put you in a situation of being undermined – that is if you interpret Segawa’s act as thus. There are many empowering television programs, watch and learn from them. Look into yourself and be the best example to society.

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