Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum (UYAHF) in partnership with the She Decides Uganda Movement Partners will on the 2nd March 2019 recognize and present awards and certificates of appreciation to outstanding gender equality stars in Uganda.
Do you know of any person who has demonstrated passion, energy and formidable experience in any of the above categories, please nominate them by filling in the form in the link below; https://goo.gl/D5S7Pp
At the very first of its own She Decides Festival in Uganda, UYAHF will recognize these gender equality stars; highlighting their incredible work and phenomenal contribution to standing up speaking out and taking action to enhance gender equality and promote the rights and empowerment of women and girls in Uganda.
Women and girls, everywhere, must have equal rights and opportunity, and be able to live free of violence and discrimination. Women’s equality and empowerment is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, but also integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development. In short, all the SDGs depend on the achievement of Goal 5.
To achieve Gender equality by 2030 there must be urgent action to eliminate the many root causes of discrimination that still curtail women’s rights in private and public spheres. For example, discriminatory laws need to change and existing laws, policies and strategies need to be proactively implemented to advance equality.
Eliminating gender-based violence is a priority, given that this is one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world today. Harmful practices, such as child marriage, steal the childhood of millions of girls under 18 years every year in our country and all over the world.
Women do 2.6 times more unpaid care and domestic work than men. While families, societies and economies depend on this work, for women, it leads to lower earnings and less time to engage in non-work activities.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights including; contraception, dignified maternity care and safe abortion are critical in their own right.
Shortfalls in these multiply other forms of discrimination, depriving women of education and decent work and opportunities to realize their full potential.
While more women have entered political positions in recent years, including through the use of special quotas, they still hold a mere per cent of parliamentary seats, far short of parity. The situation is not much better in the private sector, where women occupy less than a third of senior and middle management positions.
But despite all this, a number of individuals and institutions in Uganda have stood out and taken action to address these barriers that hinder gender equality. These individuals work within all their means and utilize their spaces to influence laws, policy and programs in order to ensure genders sensitivity. Some have taken a bold stand to challenge negative social cultural norms and values that undermine the dignity of women and girls, while others have passionately used their professional skills, expertise and sometimes commitment to offer comprehensive and quality gender based and gender sensitive social services to women and girls through formal and none formal education, health care, employment and business opportunities, psychosocial support and counseling among others.
Such individuals have served diligently, with passion and hence deserve to be appreciated.
“The struggle for gender equality is actually a struggle for justice and human rights….Our success in the struggle for gender equality is certain, as long as we remain constantly aware of the urgency to achieve this goal and are prepared to continue the necessary actions to this end.” President Sam Nujoma SADC Council of Ministers Meeting, Windhoek, February 1997.
Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum and the She Decides movement therefore values the fight for gender equality.
On 2nd March 2019, She Decides Champions and friends in Uganda will come together for the very 1st She Decides Festival/ Gender Equality Festival in Uganda, with energy to “Stand Up, Speak Out and Take Action for Women and Girls to Freely Decide Without Question.’’
Taking note of the fact that the fight for gender equality takes resilience and passion, Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum and SHE DECIDES movement in Uganda will use this opportunity to recognize and award outstanding GENDER EQUALITY STARS in order to inspire and promote the continued fight for gender equality in Uganda.
We will be awarding these stars on our inaugural SHE DECIDES festival on 2nd March 2019 under the following categories.
Award Categories.
- She Decides Gender Equality stars who have played an outstanding role in shaping and influencing laws, policies and programs to be gender sensitive.
- She Decides Gender Equality stars that have worked hard to challenge negative social cultural norms and harmful practices that perpetuate Sexual and gender based violence against women and girls.
- She Decides Gender Equality Stars that have promoted access to quality and comprehensive formal and non-formal education, health care and employment opportunities for women and girls.
- She Decides Gender Equality stars that have promoted Peace and Security and advocated for women’s participation in politics, democracy and governance.
- She Decides Gender Equality stars that have used sports, entertainment and arts to inspire, advocate for and promote gender equality, empowerment and the rights of women and girls and created opportunities for girls and women to benefit from the sports and arts industry.
How to nominate your Gender Equality Star.
Do you know of any person who has demonstrated passion, energy and formidable experience in any of the above categories, please nominate them by filling in the form in the link below;
Please follow the link above to access the nomination form.
Selection process
The organizing committee of the She Decides Festival will formulate an independent selection committee to review all nominations and make final decisions of final nominees to be awarded. Final nominees will be awarded the ‘She Decides Gender Equality Awards of Honor’ while others will receive certificates of recognition and appreciation.
Deadline for Nomination.
All nominations will close on Friday 22nd Feb 2019 at 11:59pm Ugandan time. Only nominations submitted through the provided online template and within the provided deadline will be accepted.
Self nominations are also encouraged.
For any inquiries please do not hesitate to contact: Winnie Apio on email: apiowinnie@gmail.com
About She Decides
The SHE DECIDES Movement is a Global Movement that envisions a world where every girl and woman can decide what to do with her body, with her life and with her future. Without question. Launched at the start of 2017, She Decides has evolved into a global political movement driving social change, fueled by actions in communities, with young people at its heart.