Women, men, and children have fundamental rights to humanitarian assistance and protection. Yet far too many states block aid and attack their own citizens, and too many others – including some of the world’s wealthiest countries – turn their back on those fleeing conflict and violence. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote
Civil society space provides the oxygen for citizens to participate and meaningfully hold their governments and the private sector to account – and ensure that decisions are made in the interest of the majority and not the few. Without it, citizens have limited space to dissent and challenge the elites. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote
Economic inequality is a corrosive force that undermines economic growth, puts a brake on the fight against poverty, and sparks social unrest. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote
Without women’s equal access to positions of decision-making power and a clear process to get there, gender equality, global security, and peace will never be realized. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote
Oxfam believes that any global talks to reform tax rules must include all countries, including the poorest. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote
High corruption and the influence of big business and the wealthy elite keeps the poorest Nigerians trapped in poverty and cut off from the benefits of economic growth and basic services. Some people – searching for the means to survive – became vulnerable to groups like Boko Haram. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote
The struggles to overturn colonial rule were long and often bitter. But, over time, most were inevitably successful. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote
Leadership is so defined by men, and we need to revise that – we need to be able to say that the people we honor are not the conquerors but the peacemakers. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote
Africa’s young population could be a huge economic asset if inequality were addressed. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote
The people standing up most strongly for our democracies should be celebrated, not prosecuted – be it those countless human rights defenders who defend all our rights or the brave whistle-blowers who expose tax dodging. Winnie Byanyima Read Quote