By Joyce Gwokyalya
I am a youth leader and member of the Zero Waste Implementation team at End Plastic Pollution and a global youth ambassador for the Break Free From Plastic Movement. I also am a teacher by profession, and hold a bachelor’s degree of Arts in Education. Through these roles, I work to ensure that young people are fully involved in policy and action to end plastic pollution in their communities, and drive the transition towards climate-responsive solutions and zero-waste lifestyles.
Children and youth make up a significant portion of the world’s population today, and will grow up to witness the most negative impacts of the interconnected plastic and climate crisis they have least contributed to.
In my country, Uganda, many local communities are already facing the impacts of plastic pollution as it brings an ever-rising cost of uncontrolled waste management and public health concerns.
Joyce Gwokyalya helps to raise awareness about the harm of plastic pollution.
Joyce Gwokyalya, 24-year old, Uganda
It is important that we take action to discontinue operating in a system that causes this destruction. We need urgent action, innovative interventions and a systemic transformation to avert the escalating threats to our health and environment.
Youth leadership is the catalyst for this transformation, and I am committed to promoting action for a waste-free world here in Uganda and beyond.
