YUMBE FLAGS OFF CYCLISTS FOR EQUALITY RACE

The nine cyclists dressed in orange T-shirts that have been flagged off for a 552km race from Yumbe-Kampala on Tuesday.

By Robert Elema

Yumbe

Leaders in Yumbe district have flagged off at least nine cyclists for a 552km race from Yumbe to Kampala.

The race for equality cycling event, organized by Brass for Africa, aims to create awareness about gender inequalities, particularly affecting women and girls.

The event supports the theme “accelerates action” highlighting the urgent need to address systemic barriers that limit women’s opportunities, rights and access to resources.

At the event of flagging off the participants on Tuesday, Ms Charity Farida, women activist in Yumbe district says, women inequality is real and it still exists in the community especially in Yumbe district.

She said, some people in the community have negative attitudes towards the women and they sometimes violate their rights.

“The women have suffered a lot in the community and some of them who have taken leadership roles are facing a lot of problems from their subordinates. The various stakeholders should come out clearly to condemn such acts and put to end the inequality issues that happen in the community,” she said.

“This race should actually be a way of sensitizing and educating our community to stop inequality among the women because they contribute to the development of an area. Those in the race must bear the torch of eliminating inequality among women so that other women can emulate from them,” she added.

She said, educating the girl child should be a priority because it can empower the girl and such a girl would be able to know her rights.

Ms Mama Lona Keji, a refugee in Bidibidi settlement says, as a local leader in the area, they are empowering women to stand firm on their rights.

“Our women are more vulnerable and they allow themselves to be cheated by the men and they can’t complete education which is letting us down. The women are capable of doing what the men can do, so we want the women to be self-reliant,’’ she said.

She said they are advocating for women rights which must be respected and she has appealed to the women to take up leadership roles in the society.

Mr Andrew Agassi the Executive Director for Brass for Africa says the event is Brass for Africa’s annual sports event to celebrate the resilience and determination of the girls and the young women in the societies.

He said, despite the global and local advancements, women and girls continue to face discrimination in areas such as education, employment, leadership and social inclusion.
“In many communities, girls have limited access to education, women struggle with economic independence and gender-based violence remains prevalent, so we need to raise our voices and ensure that we remove the barriers that stand in the way of the girls and the women,’’ he said.

He said, the cycling event serves as a symbolic and practical action to raise awareness highlighting gender disparities and the need for inclusion, promotion of equal opportunities and advocate for policy changes on gender.

“This race is a call to action for individuals, communities and policymakers to actively work towards gender equality by breaking stereotypes, ensuring access to opportunities and addressing injustices that hold women back,’’ he added.