By Felix Oketcho
Kampala
Victorious Education Services, one of Kampala top best schools has been recognized with Gender equality excellence award for exhibiting good gender equality practices in school management system.
According to the school Director and Principal Dr Barbra Ofwono Buyondo Victorious Education Services received the award following the signing of the gender equality commitment as member of Private Sector Foundation Uganda in 2020 then embarked on full implementation of gender equality practices in school management immediately after Covid 19 pandemic.
Dr Barbra Ofwono noted that all gender equality components have been embraced in all aspects of school management such as staff recruitment, gender friendly workplace with breastfeeding space for mothers and compulsory paternity leave.
Victorious Education Services started in 1999 as a Kindergarten with about thirty 30 children and three (3) staff Members. In a three-bed roomed house with 30 chairs and no table with personal savings of about UgShs 1,000,000. (one million) but has now grown into one of the biggest and best education institutions with over 350 members of staff and about 4000 pupils.
“Victorious Education Services (VES) is a God-fearing institution that is dedicated to train a wholesome person. The Institution provides a range of services including Daycare, Kindergarten, Primary school education and transportation of pupils. School programmes are designed to build a foundation for a child’s cognitive and physiological development so as to enhance their capability to learn and interact with more complex concepts in their academic life and thereafter, “Barbra Ofwono said.
Currently victorious has four campuses in Kampala and One campus in Mukono. The Campuses located in Kampala provide non-residential academic services at kindergarten and primary school level.
The school envisages to expand its coverage to other regions of Uganda and Neighboring countries in the future.
“We provide an all-round education so that all pupils can achieve their full potential academically, physically, spiritually and socially. We teach children to have a personal relationship with God at an early age and to pray and to depend on God always. Academic excellence is unquestionable as our children are given individual attention, “She stressed.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) held the Gender Equality Seal Awards in partnership with the Ministry of Gender to recognize private sector institutions in implementing gender equality policies in their workplaces, recruitment and management structures.
Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative, emphasized the role of Uganda’s private sector institutions in championing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace.
“Today we are celebrating the contribution of the private sector in the promotion of gender equality, women’s participation, leadership, and elimination of gender-based violence in the workplace,”. Elsie Attafuah noted.
“This is driven through our global flagship programme – the Gender Equality Seal initiative. This initiative demonstrates how Public-Private Partnerships can accelerate development interventions for promoting equality and empowerment of women in business strategies and operations.”
The GES is a tool for private enterprises and public institutions to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by reducing gender gaps and promoting both equality in the workplace and women’s empowerment; promoting equality in employment, decent work, inclusive growth and economic empowerment; and encouraging fair, inclusive and sustainable growth.
Susan Ngongi, UN Resident Coordinator, further commended the GES awarded institutions. “Through the Gender Equality Seal private sector companies have made great strides to promote gender equality particularly in management systems, remuneration, professional development and performance, work-life balance, and prevention of sexual harassment. I also wish to recognize private sector companies that have gone beyond the Seal and put further initiatives in place to address gender equality in the workplace.”
Uganda was the first country to pioneer the GES in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 and, spearheaded by UNDP in partnership with PSFU, the GES has since attracted over 90 companies from different sectors including manufacturing, banking, telecommunications, hospitality, media, health, and ICT.
Companies undertaking the GES certification process commit to achieving gender equality by transforming their corporate processes through incorporation of gender perspectives into their overall management system.
The GES certified companies are integrating comprehensive measures to change their organizational structure and culture, creating fairer and more decent conditions for workers.
UNDP Uganda Country Office is leading the Gender Equality Seal by example, having twice (2018-2022 and 2023-2026) secured a Gender Equality Seal Gold Certification for development agencies.
Betty Amongi, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, gave closing remarks at the GES Awards ceremony. “The recognition of the award is not because there is no problem. It is a recognition that we have a problem,” said Betty Amongi.
“I want to thank these companies who have taken the bold step in making a Sexual Harassment Policy. If we want to engender the workplace we must focus on the private sector. For companies that have participated, I want to thank you, I want to congratulate you, and I want to encourage you to set an example for other companies.”
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