#Blog4Dev and Essay Competition: What will it take to end Gender Based Violence in Uganda?

The World Bank invites young Ugandans to share thoughts on what it will take to end Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Uganda. First price is a trip to Washington, D.C. in April 2018.

According to the World Health Organization, GBV is a global epidemic affecting more than one in three women worldwide – at a huge cost to individuals, families, and economies that spans generations. In Uganda, slightly more than half of women aged 15 to 29 have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and 28 percent of women overall have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.

GBV is a human rights violation perpetrated against a woman or girl, man or boy and has a negative impact on their well-being. It comes in many forms, including physical violence, rape and sexual assault, child and forced marriages, female genital mutilation, human trafficking, and the denial of resources and services. It is undeniable that GBV has a significant negative impact on socio-economic well-being. It is therefore imperative to seek ways to prevent and end gender-based violence to help build a better and more inclusive future for Uganda.

Now in its fourth year, the #Blog4Dev series is a writing competition in which youth compete to submit solutions to a topical development challenge. It tests for creativity, innovation and potential to scale up; while also engaging youth to be an integral part of the development process in their countries. To enter the competition, you must (i) be a Ugandan citizen, (ii)  be between the ages of 18 and 28 years, (iii) currently reside in Uganda, (iv) be able to hold a conversation in English, and (v) write a 500-word original blog/essay in English and send to the World Bank. Please visit the World Bank website for more information.