The African Women in Sports Initiative Summit 2025 opened Thursday at Hotel Africana with a clear, urgent call from Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Administrator Elijah Njawuzi, men must lead the charge in ending gender based violence in sport.
More than 300 delegates from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, The Gambia, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana, and Congo gathered for the two day summit, now in its second edition.
Under the theme “Uniting to End Gender-Based Violence,” the summit set out to push African sport toward safer, more inclusive spaces for women and girls.
Njawuzi, speaking on a panel about men as allies in the fight against GBV, quickly became one of the standout voices of the day.
“As gatekeepers, it is our responsibility to ensure we do not overstep our boundaries,” he told the audience.
He revealed that the UOC had worked with the Gender Equity and Diversity Commission to create a handbook aimed at engaging men, from schoolboys and P.E. teachers to coaches and administrators in preventing GBV.
The tool is designed to build trust, strengthen communication, and help women feel safer within sports environments.
“This engagement is a significant step,” Njawuzi said.
“It allows female athletes to feel comfortable approaching their male counterparts.”
His message resonated across a room filled with athletes, policymakers, administrators, and activists.
Speakers such as Dr. Maggie Kigozi, Dr. Miria Matembe, Dr. Mariam Mell’ Osiime Mpaata, Laura Criado Lafuente, and Adekemi Ndieli emphasized structural reform in sports governance.
Media voices including Lynne Wachira, Andrew Kabuura, Morris Mugisha, Hope Ampurire, and Sarjo Baldeh highlighted the media’s role in shaping safer sporting cultures.
But Njawuzi’s focus on personal responsibility from men stood out most.
“To end gender based violence in sport, men must embrace personal accountability,” he said.
“We must change the narrative and show our commitment through our actions.”
He also noted the rising number of women in sports and capacity building programs, often surpassing men, progress he welcomed, but said must be matched by stronger male involvement.
Cricket Uganda Acting CEO Evelyne Kabongera Shinyekwa and NTV sports caster Gystin Angarukiremu were among the notable sport individuals in attendance.
The summit winded up with important discussions, training sessions, and networking aimed at empowering African women in sport.
