Speaker Anita Among has commended women across Africa for organizing themselves into a strong pastoralist movement, saying the sector is no longer dominated by men.
Speaking at the first-ever African Women Pastoralists Summit at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Among said the narrative around pastoralism is changing, with women increasingly taking centre stage.
“Gone are the days when men were the only ones considered pastoralists,” Among said. “I am here to confirm that I am a pastoralist myself. I grew up in Karamoja in a family that depended on cattle rearing for survival.”
The summit attracted high-level leaders including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Vice President Jessica Alupo, alongside legislators and delegates from across the continent.
Among pledged Parliament’s full support towards advancing the interests of women pastoralists, highlighting several government and legislative efforts aimed at improving their livelihoods.
She cited the establishment of a parliamentary caucus for pastoralists, bringing together MPs from cattle corridor regions, as one of the key steps taken to address challenges in the sector.
Among also pointed to laws and policies such as national land frameworks that seek to strengthen land ownership rights, especially for women, and the National Climate Change Act 2021, which addresses the impact of climate variability on pastoral communities.
She added that government-led peacebuilding efforts have helped reduce cattle rustling in many parts of the cattle corridor, creating a more stable environment for pastoralists.
During the summit, delegates launched the Pan-African Women’s Charter for Rangelands and Pastoralism, a framework aimed at amplifying the voices of women in pastoral communities and advocating for their rights.
Napak Woman MP Faith Nakut welcomed the charter, describing it as a major milestone for women pastoralists.
She said the platform would enable women to push for their rights and greater recognition, while also strengthening their participation in decision-making processes.
Nakut urged the government to sustain its support and give more attention to women pastoralists, noting that they remain central to the economic and social fabric of cattle corridor communities.
The summit is expected to produce a roadmap for integrating women more fully into pastoral development programmes across Africa.
