The Uganda Assiciation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), has promised to offer legal aid to market vendors.
This vow was made on Friday as officials from FIDA interacted with market vendors in Bugolobi.
“We shall find a lawyer to come to the market for specific days to answer any legal queries pertaining to access of loans,” FIDA’s Ms Harriet Namankema said.
This was after a number of market vendors revealed that their access to funding especially loans, is limited by their inability to fully understand the terms and conditions laid out by those giving credit.
“In most cases, those giving credit do not take time to explain to us the terms of the loans and we end up getting bad deals,” Catherine Wanyama said before voicing her appreciation for FIDA’s awareness campaigns on Geneder Based Violence (GBV).
The interaction dubbed “baraza,” involved women in the informal sector. It was moderated by Ms Elizabeth Kemigisha and Joyce Kirunga.
It had women engaging on issues that affect them in accessing economic justice and issues pertaining to gender based violence.
They complained of poor sanitation in the market and unfair credit services.
FIDA also promised to work with the Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority on providing a list of approved money lenders and have it publicised in the market.
Area Lawmaker, Ronald Balimwoze attended the event and thanked FIDA for ’empowering our people.’
“I want to appreciate FIDA because we have always wanted programs that empower women in the markets. We want all those working in the markets to be comfortable,” Balimwoze said.
He also made mention of a bill in the offing that is set to streamline the operations of markets in the city.
Marine Atuhaire, the Acting Police Commissioner, Child and family Protection, guided women how they can access justice in the event of GBV.
In explaining the challenges of domestic violence, Maurine asked, “Why spend almost an hour recording a clip with domestic violence instead of helping, all because you want likes on social media?”
She said GBV is addressed wholistically not necessarily focusing on women.
