KAMPALA, Uganda: The Ambassador of Sweden to Uganda, Her Excellency Maria Hakansson, has called for stronger laws, policies, and societal change to accelerate progress toward gender equality.
She made the remarks during the global launch of the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence held at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.
In her address, Ambassador Hakansson reaffirmed Sweden’s longstanding commitment to promoting gender equality and ending all forms of gender-based violence.
She noted that this year’s theme, “Uniting to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” highlights the rising threat of technology-facilitated abuse, including harassment, stalking, and exploitation targeting women and girls online.
“We are proud to join the global launch of the 16 Days of Activism in partnership with UNFPA and Makerere University,” she said. “One in three women worldwide experiences gender-based violence, and we can never accept this. Achieving gender equality requires more than laws, it demands a shift in norms, attitudes, and behaviors.”
The Ambassador underscored that gender equality benefits society as a whole, urging men to take responsibility and lead by example. “Gender equality is not a women’s issue, it is a societal issue. Our 2025 campaign calls on men to engage actively in this journey.”
Also speaking at the event, Kristin Blokhus, Country Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), commended Uganda for its progress but emphasized the persistence of harmful social norms and the growing problem of digital violence.
She cited cyber harassment, non-consensual image sharing, and online threats as increasingly common forms of abuse that suppress the voices of women and girls.
“This violence has evolved, and we must evolve with it,” Blokhus said. She noted that meaningful change requires more than legal frameworks—it depends on collective action from all sectors of society. “We are spotlighting men as changemakers because systems shift when influence meets responsibility. Our 16 male changemakers represent artists, academics, cultural leaders, media influencers, health professionals, and youth activists.”
Background on the 16 Days of Activism
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual global campaign that runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day). Established in 1991 by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, the campaign aims to raise awareness, inspire advocacy, and mobilize individuals, governments, and organizations to take action to end violence against women and girls in all its forms. Each year, the campaign focuses on a specific theme to address emerging issues and strengthen efforts toward a world free of gender-based violence.
