Concern for the Girl Child (CGC) is a nongovernmental organization founded in 2001 to facilitate access to education and health services for girls in Uganda. The organization’s work focuses on education, child protection, economic resilience, and sexual and reproductive health. CGC has directly served more than 1,300 girls, with 60 percent finding economic opportunities after completing its programs. It has also implemented several community-based initiatives to advocate for changes to social norms and harmful practices, such as child marriage, which marginalize women and girls.
Ugandan girls face many challenges, including lack of access to quality education, healthcare, and skills training. Gender-based violence is a pressing concern, which often also leads to early school dropouts, marriages, and pregnancies. According to UNICEF, the current teenage pregnancy rate in Uganda stands at 25 percent, the highest in East Africa. CGC hopes to disrupt this cycle through a vocational training program that offers opportunities for economic independence.
The Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund will support CGC’s Vocational Microsites project, which aims to empower child mothers in the Luwero and Nakasongola districts of Uganda. CGC will begin with a baseline study to assess girls’ needs and work with local leaders to establish vocational learning centers. Girls will learn vocational skills, ranging from tailoring to agriculture. The girls will also participate in classes focused on financial literacy and entrepreneurship, equipping them with essential skills to effectively manage their incomes for long term success.
CGC’s project will support 200 local girls. The organization hopes to help these young mothers navigate a complex transitional period in their lives by equipping them with skills to manage their social and economic wellbeing. As a result, these girls will find a path for personal development, guiding them toward achieving their full potential as young women. To learn more about CGC, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
See more projects: Africa, East Africa, Leadership & Life Skills Development