ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia — Hon. Betty Ethel Naluyima, the Woman Member of Parliament for Wakiso District and Shadow Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, has joined fellow women parliamentarians at the World Women Parliamentarians’ Forum to discuss ways of strengthening women’s influence in leadership and decision-making.
The international gathering is centred on the theme “From Representation to Influence in the Decision-Making Process,” highlighting the need to ensure that women’s presence in legislative institutions translates into meaningful participation in shaping laws, public policies and national development priorities.
The forum provides a platform for women lawmakers to exchange experiences, examine barriers to effective participation and explore practical approaches to advancing gender equality. Discussions focus on strengthening leadership opportunities, improving institutional frameworks and ensuring women have a greater voice in decisions that affect their communities.
Naluyima’s participation comes in her capacity as a representative of Wakiso District and a member of Uganda’s parliamentary opposition leadership. Her role as Shadow Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development places her within the broader national debate on gender equality, workers’ welfare and the social development of Ugandan communities.
The discussions are particularly relevant to Uganda, where women’s participation in politics and public leadership remains an important part of the national governance agenda. Issues such as women’s economic empowerment, gender-responsive budgeting and equal access to leadership opportunities are central to efforts to build more inclusive institutions.
As a legislator representing Wakiso District, Naluyima has a constituency-level responsibility that connects national policymaking with the needs and priorities of local communities. Her previous experience as Vice Chairperson of Wakiso District Local Government also gives her a background in district administration and local governance.
The forum further offers opportunities for international parliamentary cooperation, allowing delegates to share experiences and develop approaches that can strengthen women’s participation in legislative processes, policy formulation and public resource allocation. Such engagement can help translate commitments to gender equality into practical measures at national and local levels.
Naluyima’s participation highlights the importance of moving beyond numerical representation to effective influence in leadership. The broader objective of the forum is to strengthen women’s ability to shape decisions, contribute to policy development and ensure that governance institutions respond to the needs of the people they serve.
