Dear UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka ,
Kampala is changing and the struggle for gender equality and equal opportunities for women can be seen here and in neighboring cities. Local leaders are helping to sensitize and educate the public about the crucial role women and girls play in the development of any community, and I believe the people living in Kampala are beginning to understand. Equal rights for women and girls are so essential to the development of our homes and communities and that's why we give thanks to the International Community for working to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs will make the World a better place for everyone, which is why everyone should stand behind at least one of the SDGs. That’s what I do. I stand behind SDG 5 - ensuring gender equality and ending gender-based violence in our communities.
I am so glad that Uganda joined the rest of the world during the 16 days global campaign against gender-based violence from November 25 until the 10th of December, 2016. This was a step forward for our country in sensitizing and educating the people that gender-based violence and violence against women and girls affects us all. During the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, the general public gained some knowledge about how they can end violence against women and girls in their communities and homes.
Some people didn't take it as a serious issue, though. They were hindered by African cultural norms that prevent their understanding how gender equality plays a crucial role in the development of our country and their homes. But as a youth I am committed! I will keep on volunteering and showing my support for gender equality, at the same time creating awareness about gender-based violence in my community until the day we see real change in my country whereby women and men will enjoy equal life with equal opportunities free from violence and discrimination.
A particular problem we have today is unplanned youth pregnancies, a problem made worse by poverty. We need more sensitization and education about the dangers of early pregnancies. HIV/AIDS is still a killer disease here in my city and that's why the young people really need your help and support to learn how to protect their lives by staying away from unprotected sex.
-- Mwesigye Siryebo
#genderequality #sdgs
