Over 40 queens, queen mothers and other women cultural leaders from over 16 African countries last week met in Kampala to devise ways of empowering rural women to promote development through their newly-formed association - African Queens and other Women Cultural Leaders Network (AQWLN).
The four-day conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo came up with a number of resolutions, including major ones focused on eradicating negative cultural practices, especially female genital mutilation and early marriages.
They also resolved to support social and economic transformation on the continent, fight HIV/AIDS, support efforts to alleviate poverty, promote maternal health and education for the girl-child and promote African languages and African integration. Francis Kagolo interviewed them on their commitments and brings you the excerpts.
Sylvia Nagginda, Nnaabagereka of Buganda
Culture is diverse. In Uganda, we have people from diverse cultural backgrounds, but we all have the same needs. We have been fighting for the woman's cause in our separate kingdoms, but this network and the unity we have built will take us far.
Once we make the life of the African woman better, the men, and indeed, the whole world will enjoy the benefits. We have the duty to enable our people appreciate culture and use it for development.
This new network emphasises the need to get our collective energy together to achieve more.
We have observed the plight of the girl child over time, being unable to access quality education, unemployment, and being forced into early marriages.
