Beyond Numbers: Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa Champions Real Influence for Women in Leadership at Global Forum

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has spotlighted Uganda’s milestones in advancing women’s political representation, while urging global leaders to transition from numerical quotas to genuine policy-making power.

Led by Tayebwa, Uganda's parliamentary delegation participated in the two-day World Women Parliamentarians Forum in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, held under the theme “From Representation to Influence in the Decision-Making Process.”

Progress in Uganda’s Leadership:

Addressing international delegates, Tayebwa attributed Uganda's gender inclusion achievements to deliberate government policies enacted since 1986 under the National Resistance Movement (NRM), anchored by constitutional affirmative action provisions.

• Parliamentary Representation: Women hold 35% of seats in Uganda’s Parliament, translating to 187 out of 529 members.

• Cabinet Representation: Women comprise 49% of the Cabinet.

• Top Executive Positions: Highlighting senior governance, Tayebwa pointed to women serving as Vice President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Ministers.

• Gender-Sensitive Budgeting: Through collaboration with the Equal Opportunities Commission, Uganda integrates gender and equality assessments directly into its national budgeting process.

The Ugandan delegation included Lira District Woman MP Auma Linda Agnes,  National Female MP for Persons with Disabilities Laura Kanushu, Wakiso District Woman MP Betty Ethel Naluyima, Soroti District Woman MP Anna Ebaju Adeke, and National Female Youth MP Mercy Kanyesigye l.

A Call to Move from Numbers to Influence: 

While celebrating the country's legislative footprint, Tayebwa cautioned that presence in the chambers is only the first step.

"Representation is only the beginning. Having women in Parliament is important, but the most important measure of progress is whether women are able to influence the laws, the policies, the budgets and decisions that shape the lives of our people," Tayebwa emphasized.

He noted that parliamentary cooperation across borders is vital to establish practical frameworks that elevate women's voices into tangible outcomes at national, regional, and global levels.

Global Perspectives at the Forum:

The Mongolian forum convened international leaders to assess post-Beijing Conference progress. Mongolia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Battsetseg Batmunkh, noted that global women's parliamentary representation has more than doubled since the landmark 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women.

Other regional leaders shared ongoing hurdles and strategies:

• Kenya: Leah Sopiato Sankaire, Kajiado County Woman Representative, reported that Kenya's delegation remains 31 representatives short of its constitutional two-thirds gender rule, noting that a constitutional amendment bill is underway. She stressed that true progress requires women chairing parliamentary budget committees to guarantee gender-sensitive spending.

• Azerbaijan: Delegation leader Parvana Valiyeva recalled her nation's historical milestones—becoming the first in the Muslim East to grant women voting and electoral rights in 1918—and urged active female leadership in modern priority sectors like climate change, technology, peace, and security.