The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MOGLSD) Betty Amongi has highlighted the importance of implementing childcare services as a key strategy for unlocking the full productivity and business potential of women entrepreneurs in Uganda.
She says lack of childcare services is among the major key obstacles affecting women’s progress.
She was speaking during a high-level webinar discussion on Childcare under the theme, “Childcare and Women Entrepreneurship.”
According to the study, of the 95% of women without childcare support, 56% surveyed expressed interest in using services if they were affordable and accessible.
“For years, many of us in the women movement researched a lot about the unpaid care work borne by women. Today, we have crafted a simple solution, which we must commit to actualize by making it more available to our daughters, sisters and wives in business,” she added.
She said the studies were possible with the support from the World Bank focused on caring for the regulatory framework for centre-based childcare for children under three in Uganda; and demand and supply assessment for child care services for low-income women entrepreneurs.
Amongi noted that they want women to start businesses, their businesses to grow, in addition to increasing access to affordable financing, they should similarly address the barriers that hinder this progress and must all be done at the same time.
“I would like to recognise and appreciate our partnership with the World Bank on the GROW Project and particularly for including policy research and child care interventions,” she noted.
The minister stressed that when they address the unique challenges that women entrepreneurs face, they empower them to grow their business ventures while also balancing personal priorities like their children’s safety and their own well-being.
She stressed that this approach not only enhances their entrepreneurial potential but also fosters a more inclusive and dynamic business environment.
“One critical element we have identified is the absence of National Standards for the Establishment and Management of Childcare Facilities for Children below 3 years. Together with my team and other relevant Ministries, we commit to ensuring,” she noted.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, expressed his delight at initiatives like GROW, which focus on empowering women by enhancing their skills, offering accessible credit, and creating gender-sensitive infrastructure, such as childcare services.
He stressed that through the GROW project, the country will strategically achieve wins for women, their children, gender equality and the economy.
“To fully guarantee these wins, however, we must be deliberate, pragmatic and highly accountable. We must track each individual beneficiary and their business, assessing regularly the actual change in employment, productivity and profitability,” he added.
