Sibongile Makhaya

What actions are you taking to promote and protect the health and rights of women and young people worldwide?

So far, I have contacted the incredible individuals who have exposed the crisis of ewaste dumping in Ghana, in order to find the best way to move forward. Without their assistance and funding, I am unable to tackle the problem effectively.

I am also currently planning an art exhibition to raise funds for women in Lesotho who do not have access to maternal health care. Pregnant women who cannot afford to stay in huts close to the delivery ward are forced to endure long hours of labor, or walk many miles to a hospital.

After the art exhibition, I plan to engage women in the villages on constructive discussions around what can be done to change the alarming maternal mortality rates in Lesotho.

What is your vision of lasting change for yourself and for the world's young people?

Lasting change begins with heeding the needs of those who are without. More so, in addressing global problems such as poverty and lack of human rights, these cause of these problems should also be addressed.

I believe that lasting change will not take effect unless those whose lives are being changed are not heavily involved in coordinating the steps to making these changes happen.

Lasting change should be signified by freedom. Freedom from lack of options, desperateness and hopelessness.

If you could tell world leaders one thing, what would it be?

Listen, empathize, act, act, act.