Africa-Press – Uganda. The Uganda Debt Network (UDN) officially launched the Maputo Manifesto 2024 during the Uganda National Conference on Debt and Development, marking the first time this powerful feminist policy framework has been introduced in Uganda.
The Maputo Manifesto, developed through a continent-wide consultation process, calls for urgent economic reforms that place women at the center of Africa’s development agenda.
It aims to address the structural and gendered dimensions of debt, inequality, and underdevelopment in Africa.
“Women should continue to occupy space and access more resources to tell their stories, avoiding political and economic systems based on male-dominated frameworks,” the document emphasizes.
Penina Naiga, a research associate at UDN, explained that the manifesto sets out both immediate and long-term action points.
These include conducting gender-specific research on policy impacts, abolishing discriminatory laws, and developing a measurable feminist action plan for implementation across African nations.
The Maputo Manifesto reveals that women bear the heaviest brunt of austerity and debt servicing.
In Africa, 90% of women work in the informal economy, making them vulnerable to public spending cuts, especially in health and education.
“Cuts in budget allocation for health and education have a disproportionate impact on women, leading to poorer health outcomes, increased school dropout rates for girls, and a general decline in community well-being,” reads the manifesto.
From 2010 to 2021, interest payments on debt across African countries rose by 132%, according to Fidélité Nshimiyimana, the Campaigns and Communication Manager at the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD).
“Nearly 50% of African countries now spend more on debt servicing than on healthcare, education, or public investment. This must change,” Nshimiyimana said during a virtual address at the launch.
The manifesto outlines clear demands for reform:
Increase women’s representation in political and economic decision-making.
Reform tax and fiscal systems to enhance inclusivity and justice.
Promote economies of care by allocating resources to health, education, and caregiving.
Push for debt cancellation and restructuring to relieve overburdened economies.
Establish robust regional institutions to hold governments accountable and protect civic space.
Patrick Tumwebaze, CEO of UDN, stressed the importance of engaging key institutions such as the Ministry of Finance and Bank of Uganda:
“As we borrow for development, it is essential to incorporate the recommendations of the Maputo Manifesto to ensure no one, especially women, is left behind.”
The launch of the Maputo Manifesto in Uganda signals a bold step towards reclaiming Africa’s economic future through a feminist lens. Advocates believe this framework will not only influence national policies but also challenge global financial systems that perpetuate inequality.
As debt continues to choke African economies, the voices of women who hold up households, communities, and entire informal economies are finally being heard.
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