On March 20, 2025, MIFUMI joined the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Mbale together with leaders and community members to celebrate the International Women’s Day at Bumasikye Sub County. In his message, the CAO a requested the communities, leaders, and organizations like MIFUMI to go beyond rhetoric and put real policies in place to empower women and girls— the theme struck a deep chord.
A number of pre-International Women’s Day community dialogues were conducted under the theme “Accelerate Actions,” which called for prioritizing decisive measures toward attaining gender equality. Women were given opportunities to showcase cultural performances, and their resilience and achievements in different villages in Bumasikye sub-county.
In the same vein, on 1st of April 2025 the Women’s Day celebration event in Kween took place in Kitawoi Sub-County, Taarak Parish, with assistance from MIFUMI under the Heroes programme. It was a sub-county, led celebration. Among the activities the women showcased were drama, dance, football, and sack races. The drama depicted how women are mistreated including being battered by their spouses, denied the power to decide at home how many children they should have, and other harmful norms.
The Kitawoi sub-county expressed gratitude to MIFUMI for raising awareness of women’s rights in the sub-county. A Mifumi champion, Justine Chelimo praised Mifumi for helping the people of Kitawoi through the Advice Centers, where many women seek assistance and protection if they have been abused.
The significance of “Accelerate Actions.”
The theme highlighted the urgency of addressing persistent gender disparities in education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and leadership. Despite progress, women still face systemic barriers, including unequal pay, limited access to resources, and under-representation in decision-making roles. “Accelerate actions emphasized the need for:
Policy Reforms: Governments and organizations must enforce laws that promote gender equality at all times.
Economic Empowerment: Initiatives like skills training, financial literacy programs, and support for women entrepreneurs are critical.
Education: Ensuring girls have equal access to quality education.
Ending Gender-Based Violence: Strengthening protections and support systems for survivors.
While the day was a celebration, it also served as a reminder that achieving gender equality requires sustained effort. As we reflect on International Women’s Day 2025, let us commit to advocating for policies that close gender gaps, supporting women-led initiatives and businesses, and educating communities to challenge harmful stereotypes.
The “Accelerate Action” theme is not just for the day but a rallying cry into the future. By working collectively, we can create a world where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.