KAMPALA — Dr. Lakisa Mercy Faith, Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Youth and Children Affairs, has highlighted the importance of giving girls practical opportunities to participate in leadership and decision-making.
Lakisa temporarily stepped aside to allow an exceptional young girl to assume the duties of Minister for Youth and Children Affairs during a symbolic Girls Takeover initiative held to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child.
The initiative was organised by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in partnership with Plan International Uganda as part of efforts to demonstrate the potential of girls and young women to participate meaningfully in leadership and governance.
By handing over her responsibilities to a young leader, Lakisa turned the commemoration into a practical demonstration of the need to create space for girls to experience leadership rather than simply preparing them for positions they may occupy in the future.
The minister emphasised that the initiative goes beyond symbolism, saying that girls should be recognised as active decision-makers and leaders of today as well as tomorrow. She noted that opening high-level governance spaces to young women can strengthen their confidence and amplify their voices.
Lakisa further stressed that exposing girls to leadership environments can help them understand how institutions operate while giving them the confidence to contribute to decisions affecting their communities and the country.
She said every girl in Uganda deserves to be heard, empowered and positioned to lead, noting that investing in their abilities and potential is essential to building an inclusive and equitable society.
The Girls Takeover initiative also underscored the wider responsibility of government and other stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities through which young people can develop leadership skills, participate in public affairs and contribute to national development.
Lakisa’s message comes as Uganda continues to promote greater participation of young people in leadership and development, with the initiative serving as a reminder that empowering girls requires more than celebration—it requires giving them opportunities to occupy spaces where decisions are made and allowing them to demonstrate their capabilities.
