Leader of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has criticized the government describing their lack of priority on issues affecting women and girls in the country as ‘neglectful and callousness’.
Speaking during the Committee of Supply on the 2026 Budget, Hon Wale said the least of priority and least allocation under the ministry of women, youth, children and family affairs is gross and a designed neglect by the government.
Hon Wale said the extent of gender based violence and issues affecting women, girls and youths in our society are very high indeed but maybe the government do not want to believe it.
“Its almost as if we do not care as a collective leadership. Is it because issues faced by women, girls and youths in this country do not affect us directly? Or perhaps because we are insulated or these issues does not touch our families,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said this is not a social sector investment but a big safety net issue.
He said it affects almost 80% of women and girls in our country.
However, Hon Wale said sadly 2026 would be another year of neglect as it speaks clearly in the 2026 Budget under the ministry’s allocation.
The Opposition Leader said during the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) they recommended the ministry to revise their budget and come back with a meaningful and substantiative budget.
“Lets take a zero tolerance attitude towards this cancer in our midst. Sadly, the attitude towards the allocation in this budget is not zero tolerance attitude; it speaks of light hearted neglectful callousness,” he said.
Hon Wale said it is a disappointment worst than any disappointment.
“I urge the Prime Minister to take the lead on this and come up with some proactive initiatives. I recommend that next year, the government organise a big consultation including women groups, youth, girls, community leaders, church and all stakeholders to come together. Lets find the money, consult and address this issue. It’s a big problem,” he said.
The Opposition Leader has also recommended that in future the ministry should call the finance minister and his officials to present the data before them so they are really sensitive to these issues.
“When they are insensitive, indifferent and impersonal they don’t feel concerned. We have fiscal space, there is money there to allocate, there is money left to allocate, so allocate to our women, girls and youths who are suffering out there,” he said.
– Opposition Press
