The Embassy of the Netherlands and UN Women co-hosted a dynamic breakfast meeting at the Residence of the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda in late 2024.
The gathering of leaders centred on advancing women’s rights and gender equality while brainstorming an innovative joint campaign to commemorate the Beijing+30 anniversary in 2025.
The event brought together a diverse group of attendees, including Female Heads of Missions, UN Agency representatives, and Male Changemakers.
Among the prominent voices was Uganda’s Representative to UN Women, Amali Kisembo, whose leadership and advocacy for gender equality served as a rallying point throughout the discussions.
H.E Kisembo highlighted the critical need for cross-sector collaboration in driving transformative change.
“To achieve meaningful gender equality, we must break silos and empower grassroots voices to take part in shaping the narrative and empowering women and girls directly contributes to stronger families and communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change,” says H.E Kisembo.
The envisioned 2025 campaign aims to create positive narratives around gender equality and eliminate violence against women.
The strategy includes organizing a series of events and discussions pairing Female Heads of Missions and UN Agencies with selected Male Changemakers from government, civil society, and the diplomatic community.
This collaboration seeks to amplify grassroots perspectives, particularly from regions outside Kampala, while aligning with the Government of Uganda’s initiatives and existing frameworks.
The campaign will also work to ensure that these discussions are accessible and inclusive, reaching communities that have traditionally been left out of such dialogues.
Participants expressed unanimous support for the campaign, emphasizing that achieving gender parity benefits everyone. Discussions explored Uganda’s progress in promoting women’s rights, including the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and increasing women’s representation in leadership roles.
However, they also acknowledged persistent challenges, such as societal norms that restrict women’s access to economic opportunities and comprehensive protection from gender-based violence. They agreed that addressing these systemic barriers requires both policy reform and grassroots activism.
H.E emphasized the importance of inclusive narratives that reflect Uganda’s diversity. She stressed that engaging male allies and changemakers is essential to breaking down barriers and fostering a shared vision of prosperity and equality.
“Gender equality is not a women’s issue; it is a human issue”, says H.E Kisembo and calls for a commitment from all sectors of society.
“This campaign represents a significant opportunity to envision a future where shared prosperity and inclusivity define Uganda’s trajectory,” says Kisembo.
By engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders, the Beijing+30 anniversary campaign is set to highlight Uganda’s achievements, tackle ongoing challenges, and drive gender equality efforts that empower women and girls across the nation and beyond.