Thirty-five (35) year old Grace Nakajje is one of the women who had a reason to smile this women’s day. She scooped an International Women Achievers’ Award (IWAA) under the category ‘Humanitarian Ambassador’ for promoting healthcare for underprivileged women and children in Uganda.
Nakajje, a Ugandan, is the founder of Grace Works Initiative (GWI), a non-profit organisation that not only caters for the underprivileged women and girls, but also their families.
The awards ceremony, held during the International Women’s day week at the Jamaican Canadian Association in Toronto, Canada, recognised her for her innovation and paramount role in promoting healthcare.
It was presided over by Ahmed Hussen, Member of Parliament York South-Weston, Toronto, Canada.
Currently, GWI is in its final stages of constructing a state of the art health facility in Bukomolo village, Kibuku District in Eastern Uganda that will bridge the maternal delay gaps of access to healthcare.
Kibuku previously curved out of Pallisa district, lacks adequate health facilities.
In Bukomolo village for example, residents are forced to walk at least ten miles in search for healthcare, and in some cases, die because they do not have access to routine, preventative healthcare or emergency medical attention.
In her acceptance speech, Nakajje hailed President Yoweri Museveni for addressing women issues, which she termed as the most delicate challenges of our time.
‘This achievement has come because of the gender equality and women’s empowerment that our government continues to uphold,’ She added.
IWAA was established in 2009 with a purpose to empower young women to reach their goals. It brings together women from across the globe and recognises their accomplishments. This year’s theme is ‘Global awareness to positive body image’.
The ceremony underscored the paramount roles played by women in society while appreciating their attitudes, initiatives, will-power and perseverance.
In 2011, Nakajje emerged the best Africa Communicator and won a seat at the United Methodist Association of Communicators that annually meets in New Mexico, USA.
She wrote stories about global health with focus on the fight against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Nakajje also authors a book ‘Voice in the Jungle’ that brings to light the depth of Africa’s cultural crisis of female genital mutilation, child marriages, and girl education.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Journalism and Mass Communication from Ndejje University and a Diploma in Journalism from UMCAT. She has worked with various media outlets in Uganda including the New Vision Newspaper, and Uganda Broadcasting Corporation Television.
Nakajje is now accomplishing her Master of Science degree in Public Health, at the International Health Science University, Kampala, Uganda.
The Humanitarian Ambassador Award category is the first of its kind.
Nakajje was among the 17 women across the world to receive awards. Two however were from Africa. (Stella Ebere from Nigeria – Woman of distinction Award).