Wang-oo Co-founder, ASP. Ogweng Francis Receives Dr. Maria Matembe Award

“I’ m excited, humbled and I give glory to God and pray that He gives me more strength to move the struggle for gender equality to another level”

ASP. Francis Ogweng, Wang-oo Male Engagement Forum’s Co-founder, was awarded the prestigious Dr. Maria Matembe Award by the Native Voices International for standing against gender-based violence in Uganda and male engagement.

The ceremony was organized by the Native Voices International on the 7^th march, 2019 to recognize outstanding institutions and individuals that promote common good and the women agenda and those that excel in various fields during our Celebrating Womanhood Award Ceremony.

Co-founder, Francis Ogweng was the first awardee and received the Dr. Miria Matembe Award.  Mr Ogweng is also a civil servant at Uganda Police Child and Family Protection Department and UN Women HeforShe Champion where he creates awareness and empowers men and boys to be agents of change and advocates for the achievement of gender quality and women’s rights in Uganda.

Key among the campaigns is the unique “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” campaign that featured the Uganda Police, and himself carrying a baby and a water pot in Entebbe and Nansana against the killing of innocent women in November 2017 as well as those with the Boboda Associations funded by the UN Women, Uganda.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Ogweng said “I’ m excited, humbled and I give glory to God and pray that He gives me more strength to move the struggle for gender equality to another level”. He underscored the need for everyone especially men to join the fight against sexual and gender-based violence “… Sexual and gender-based violence is pervasive and so everyone has a responsibility”